BRPI1011369B1 - METHOD, TREATMENT STATION AND ASSEMBLY TO TREAT A FLAT MATERIAL TO BE TREATED - Google Patents

Description

METHOD, TREATMENT STATION AND ASSEMBLY TO TREAT A FLAT MATERIAL TO BE TREATED

The invention relates to a method, a treatment plant and an assembly for treating a flat material to be treated. In particular, the invention relates to such methods, treatment plants and assemblies that allow a treatment of material to be treated with a sensitive surface or a plurality of sensitive surfaces. The invention also relates to such methods, treatment plants and assemblies in which contact between a useful region of the material to be treated and fixed elements can be reduced.

When processing flat material to be treated, such as, for example, circuit boards in the circuit board industry, the material to be treated is normally treated in a wet chemical processing line. To remove the treatment liquid, such as a process chemical or water, so-called pass rolls can be used. Such rollers can, for example, be used to accumulate treatment liquid for immersion treatment in a treatment plant, as disclosed in DE 43 37 988 Al. To optimize material exchange on the substrate surface, nozzles can be used to make a fluid to flow over the surface of the material to be treated.

Figure 18 is a schematic view of a treatment station 200 in which the liquid level of the treatment liquid is higher than a transport plane of the material to be treated 203, so that the material to be treated 203 can be transported immersed . The material to be treated 203

2/78 is transported in a horizontal transport direction 204 through the treatment plant. For transporting the material to be treated, pairs of rollers 211 to 216 are provided which rest against the surfaces of the

material a be treated 203 turned up and / or for down to carry O material to be treated. For avoid the exhaust in liquid of treatment, one container internal 201 is provided in which the liquid

treatment is accumulated to the upper level (not shown). The inner container 201 is closed by an outer container 202 so that the outer container 202 collects the treatment liquid that overflows from the inner container 201. From the treatment liquid 208 collected in the outer container 202, which has a level 209 in the external container, the treatment liquid is pumped by a pump 210 back into the internal container 201. The treatment liquid can be discharged via flow nozzles 206, 207 or an additional treatment member back into the inner container 201.

To accumulate the treatment liquid in the inner container 201, pairs of the so-called pass rollers 213, 215 are used in the inflow region and in the flow region of the inner container 201. The pass roll pairs 213, 215 can, for example , have a cylindrical peripheral surface. If the pass rollers 213a, 213b of the pair 213 and the pass rollers of the pair of roll 215 rest against the material to be treated 203, the free cross section through which the treatment liquid can escape from the inner container 201 is restricted. By means of

3/78 corresponding adjustment of the pump delivery rate 210, a desired level of treatment liquid in the inner container 201 can be established. Additional roller pairs, such as roller pairs 211, 212, 214 and 216 in the inflow region or flow region of the treatment plant can also act as pass rollers.

If the material to be treated 203 has one or more sensitive surfaces, however, direct contact between the pairs of pass rollers 213, 215 and the material to be treated 203, which is over the full width on conventional pass rollers, that is, the entire length across the transport direction 204 of the material to be treated 203 can cause damage to the surface of the material to be treated 203. Damage to the surfaces of the material to be treated 203 can, for example, be caused by pressure surface or particles adhering to the surfaces of the pass rollers 213, 215 and surface irregularities. In addition, in the region of the flow nozzles 206, 207 it can cause undesirable deflections of the material to be treated 203, for example, as a result of the flow conditions in the treatment plant. Deflections can bring the material to be treated 203 into contact with other elements of the treatment plant.

The aim of the invention is to provide a method, a treatment station and an assembly for treating a flat material to be treated in which the risk of damage to the sensitive surfaces of the material to be treated can be reduced. The purpose of the invention is also to provide a method for producing circuit boards, in which the risk of damage to the sensitive surface regions of the

4/78 circuit can be reduced.

According to the invention, the objective is achieved by means of a method, a treatment plant and an assembly for treating a flat material to be treated as set out in the independent claims. The dependent claims define preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

According to one aspect, a method is provided for treating a flat material to be treated that is transported through an assembly for the wet electrolytic or chemical treatment of the material to be treated. The material to be treated is subjected in a treatment plant to the assembly to a treatment liquid that covers the material to be treated. In the treatment plant, a roll with a roll surface is positioned in such a way that the roll surface is spaced at least from - a useful region of the material to be treated that extends continuously between the edge regions of the material to be treated. be treated, so that a gap remains between the roller surface and the useful region of the material to be treated. The roller surface is at least partially arranged in the treatment liquid. The roller is pivotally driven so that at play a relative speed is produced between the roller surface and a surface of the material to be treated.

The risk of damage to the surface of the material to be treated can be reduced through the method, since a gap is provided that extends between the roller and the useful region of the material to be treated. In one embodiment, the roller can be separated from the entire material to be treated. Per

5/78 Through the relative speed on the opposite sides of the gap, the exchange of material on a surface of the material to be treated can be promoted and / or an escape of the treatment liquid through the gap can be reduced.

The gap that remains between the surface of the roller and the useful region of the material to be treated can be predetermined by the geometry of the assembly or it can result from the balance of forces, particularly, for the material to be treated having inherent low rigidity.

The part of the roller surface that is separated from the surface of the material to be treated by the height of the gap, can move at a speed that differs in orientation and / or value from a transport speed of the material to be treated.

The roller can be driven so that the part of the roller surface defining the gap moves in a direction opposite to a direction of transport of the material to be treated. As a result, a relative speed can be implemented in the clearance, without the roller having to be rotated at a high rotational speed.

The roller is arranged advantageously so that its rotational axis is parallel to a transport plane of the material to be treated.

The roller can be driven so that a value of a circumferential speed of the roller surface is different from a value of the transport speed of a material to be treated and, in particular, is greater than the value of the transport speed. In this case, the part of the roll surface that is separated from the surface of the material to be treated by the height of the gap can be

6/78 move in the direction of transport of the material to be treated.

The treatment liquid can be removed from the roller using a removal device. The removal device can be adjusted to establish an amount of treatment liquid that is removed from the roller. In this way, the extent of the material exchange produced by the roller and / or to what degree of liquid leakage through the gap is reduced can be controlled.

The removal device can be arranged so that it is at a constant distance from the roller surface. As a result, a uniform effect can be obtained in the axial direction via the roller. The spacing between the removal device and the roller surface can be adjustable. For example, the removal device can be configured as a strip that extends parallel to the axis of the roll and can be positioned at different distances from the surface of the roll.

The roller can be provided as a treatment member at the treatment plant. This makes it possible to provide the roller, for example, instead of a flow nozzle. By using the roller as a treatment member, a small treatment plant can be produced. Consequently, cost savings can be achieved. In addition, the forces acting on the material to be treated can be reduced. Energy costs can be reduced. In addition, preservation of the treatment bath can be achieved.

If the roller is used as a treatment member, the minimum clearance height between the roller surface and the

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useful region of the material to be treated can be less than 1 mm, particularly less than 0.7 mm, particularly less than 0.5 mm. The minimum clearance height can be at least 0.05 mm, particularly at least 0.07 mm, particularly at least 0.0 9 mm. The minimum clearance height can also be greater than the aforementioned limit values, but typically must be less than 10.0 mm.

The roller can be arranged so that by means of the relative speed between the surface of the roller and the surface of the material to be treated an exchange of material is increased on a surface of the material to be treated. In particular, the roller can be arranged so that the rotation of the roller has an effect on the treatment liquid on the surface and / or in the holes of the material to be treated.

On opposite sides of the roller in the direction of transport, the treatment liquid can come in contact with the roller, up to a level of treatment plant operation. The roller 20 can also be arranged completely below the operating level of the treatment plant. This allows the use of the roller as a treatment member in a portion of the treatment plant which may be separated from the treatment region.

influx and the region runoff. 25 0 roll also Can be provided in a region in influx or in a region of flow from the station in

treatment. For example, the roller can be provided in the vicinity of an edge of an internal container of the treatment plant. The roller surface then forms a retaining surface to retain the

8/78 treatment. The leakage of the treatment liquid through the gap can be reduced by the relative movement in the gap.

If the roller surface serves as a retaining surface, the minimum clearance height between the roller surface and the useful region of the material to be treated may be less than 1 mm, particularly less than 0.7 mm, particularly less than 0 , 5 mm. The minimum clearance height can be at least 0.05 mm, particularly at least 0.07 mm, particularly at least 0.09 mm.

An additional roller having an additional roller surface can be positioned so that an additional gap remains between the useful region of the material to be treated and the additional roller surface. The roller and the additional roller can be arranged on opposite sides of a transport plane for the material to be treated. For example, the roller and the additional roller can be arranged so that their axes are arranged in positions that are identical in the direction of transport. In additional embodiments, the axes of the roller and the adjacent roller can be separated in the direction of transport. Through the provision of the adjacent roller, the treatment of the material to be treated can be further improved and / or the escape of treatment liquid can be further reduced.

additional roller can be rotated so that the speed of a part of the additional roller surface that forms an edge of the additional clearance is oriented in the direction of transport. The circumferential speed value of the additional roll can be equal to the transport speed value ± 20%. As a result, the

9/78 transport of the material to be treated with inherent low stiffness can be advantageously influenced.

The additional roller can be rotated so that the roller and the additional roller rotate in the same direction.

According to an additional aspect, a treatment station is provided for treating a flat material to be treated for an assembly for the electrolytic or chemical wet treatment of the material to be treated. The treatment plant is designed so that during operation a treatment liquid covers the material to be treated. The treatment plant comprises a roller with a roller surface that is arranged so that the surface of the roller is separated from at least one useful region of the material to be treated that extends continuously between the edge regions of the material to be treated, so that a gap remains between the roll surface and the useful region of the material to be treated. The roller is further arranged so that the surface of the roller is arranged at least partially in the treatment liquid. A drive device is designed to drive the roller pivotally so that at play a relative speed is produced between the surface of the roller and the surface of the material to be treated.

The risk of damage to the surface of the material to be treated can be reduced at the treatment station since a gap is provided that extends between the roller and the useful region of the material to be treated. In one embodiment, the roller can be separated from the entire material to be treated. Through the relative speed at the opposite edges of the clearance, the exchange of material can be promoted in a

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surface of the material to be treated and / or a leakage of the treatment liquid through the gap can be reduced.

The drive device can be designed to drive the roller pivoting so that the part of the surface of the roller defining the gap moves in the direction opposite to the direction of transport of the material to be treated.

The drive device can be designed to drive the roller pivotally so that an absolute value of a circumferential speed of the roller surface is different from an absolute value of the transport speed of the material to be treated and, in particular, is greater than the absolute value of the transport speed.

The roller is arranged advantageously so that its axis of rotation is parallel to a transport plane of the material 15 to be treated.

The treatment station may comprise a removal device, particularly a removal device that is adjustable with respect to the roller, for removing the treatment liquid from the roller.

The roller can be provided as a treatment member at the treatment station. On opposite sides of the roller in the direction of transport, the treatment liquid can come in contact with the roller up to a treatment plant operating level, or the roller can be arranged completely 25 below the treatment plant operating level.

The roller can be provided in an inflow region or in a flow region of the treatment plant, the surface of the roller being configured as a holding surface to retain the treatment liquid. The roller can, for example, be provided on an edge of an inner region

11/78 of the treatment plant.

The treatment plant may comprise an additional roller with an additional roller surface, which is positioned so that an additional gap remains between the useful region of the material to be treated and the surface of the additional roller. The roller and the additional roller can be arranged on opposite sides of a transport plane for the material to be treated.

The drive device can be designed to drive the additional roller pivotally so that a portion of the additional roller surface, which forms an edge of the additional clearance, rotates in the direction of transport. The circumferential speed of the additional roll can be equal to the transport speed.

The drive device can be designed to drive the additional roller pivotally so that the additional roller and the roller rotate in the same direction.

The treatment plant can be designed so that it is designed to carry out the method according to any of the revealed modalities or the exemplary modalities.

The treatment plant can further comprise several transport elements for transporting the material to be treated which, for example, which can be configured as transport rollers or transport rollers.

The effects of the treatment plant modalities correspond to the effects of the corresponding method modalities.

According to an additional aspect, an assembly for treating a flat material to be treated is provided which

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it comprises the treatment plant according to one modality or according to an exemplary modality.

According to a further aspect, a method is provided for producing a circuit board in which a material to be treated to produce the circuit board by the method is treated according to an embodiment or according to an exemplary embodiment.

The modalities of the invention make it possible to remove or keep a treatment liquid at a distance from the material to be treated in an assembly for the electrolytic or wet chemical treatment of a material to be treated or to promote the exchange of material on the surface of the material to be treated. treated, in an assembly for the wet electrolytic or chemical treatment of a material to be treated. Thus, a roll surface can be arranged separate from a useful region of a material to be treated so that a gap is formed to reduce or to avoid direct contact of the useful region with a fixed element.

Modalities of the invention can be used, particularly, in assemblies in which the flat material to be treated with a sensitive surface is transported in a horizontal transport plane or substantially in a horizontal transport plane. However, the modalities are not restricted to this field of application.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to preferred or advantageous modalities and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a device for removing or keeping the liquid from s

The treatment of a treatment plant according to an image

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modality. The figure 2 is a view schematic, side partially sectional of the device of Figure 1. The figure 3 is a view schematic, side

partially sectional of a device for removing treatment liquid from a treatment plant according to an additional embodiment.

Figure 4 is a schematic, partially sectional side view of a portion of a treatment station with a plurality of devices for removing the treatment liquid according to an embodiment.

Figure 5 is a schematic, partially sectional side view of a portion of a treatment station with a plurality of devices for removing the treatment liquid according to an additional embodiment.

Figure 6 is a schematic, front view of a device for removing or keeping the treatment liquid from a treatment plant at a distance according to an additional embodiment.

Figure 7 is a schematic, partially sectional side view of a device for removing treatment liquid.

Figure 8 is a schematic, partially sectional side view of a treatment station with devices for removing or maintaining the treatment liquid at a distance according to an embodiment in an inflow region and a flow region.

Figure 9 is a schematic, partially sectional side view of a flow region of a

14/78 treatment plant according to an additional modality.

Figure 10 is a schematic, partially sectional side view of a flow region from a treatment plant according to an additional embodiment.

Figures 11 to 17 are schematic, partially sectional side views of a treatment member configured with a treatment station roller according to additional modalities, respectively.

Figure 18 is a schematic, partially sectional side view of a treatment plant with pairs of pass rolls.

Directional or positional information regarding the material to be treated is provided in relation to the direction of transport, in accordance with the convention. The direction in which, when transporting the material to be treated is parallel and / or not parallel to the transport direction, is denoted as longitudinal transport at right angles to the transport direction denoted as the latitudinal direction of the material to be treated.

Modalities of the devices and methods are revealed in which the treatment liquid is kept at a distance or removed from a material to be treated and / or in which the exchange of material is promoted in the material to be treated. Treatment liquid means any liquid to which the material to be treated can be subjected to in an assembly for wet electrolytic or chemical treatment, particularly a chemical processing treatment, a

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rinsing liquid such as water or the like.

The modalities are revealed in the context of an assembly for the treatment of material to be treated, in which the material to be treated is transported in a horizontal transport plane. Information such as above the transport plane or below the transport plane, top surface, bottom surface, as well as references to the height or to a level of treatment liquid and the like, consequently refer to the vertical direction, as long as it is not indicated in another way. By transport in a horizontal transport plane, it can be understood, in particular, as a transport of material to be treated in which at least three corners of the material to be treated are located in a horizontal plane. This 15 does not exclude the fact that at least an individual portion or individual regions of the material to be treated during transport are located outside the transport plane, for example, in a material to be treated with inherent low rigidity.

Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a device 1 for removing treatment liquid from a material to be treated 10. Figure 2 is a schematic side view of device 1 along the direction shown in Figure 1 by II to II . The section plane of the partially sectional side view 25 is a vertical plane, which crosses the transport plane along a line in which a useful region of the material to be treated is transported.

The device 1 comprises a roller 2 and an additional roller 3, which are arranged on opposite sides of a transport plane for the material to be treated 10, according to

16/78 such that the material to be treated 10 is transported between roller 2 and additional roller 3. Device 1 can, for example, be used as a pair of pass rollers 213 or 215 at treatment plant 200 of the Figure 18.

The roller 2 has a roller surface 4 configured as a holding surface to retain the treatment liquid, which is provided as a displaced portion of the peripheral surface of the roller 2. The roller 2 is positioned in relation to a transport path of the roller. material to be treated 10, so that a gap 8 remains between the retaining surface 4 and the material to be treated 10, when the material to be treated 10 is transported beyond the roller 2. The portion forming the retaining surface 4 of the peripheral surface of the roller 2 can be configured substantially cylindrically.

The additional roller 3 has an additional roller surface 14 configured as a holding surface to retain the treatment liquid which is provided as a displaced portion of the peripheral surface of the roller 3. The additional roller 3 is positioned in relation to the transport path of the roller. material to be treated 10, so that a gap 18 remains between the additional holding surface 14 and the material to be treated 10, when the material to be treated 10 is transported beyond the roller 3. The peripheral surface portion of the roller 3 forming the additional retaining surface 14 it can be configured substantially cylindrically.

Due to the clearances 8, 18 that are formed by the arrangement and design of the roller 2 and the additional roller 3, a useful region 11 of the material to be treated 10 that extends over a part

17/78 large of the width direction of the material to be treated 10, does not come into contact with the fixed elements of the device

1. The risk of damage to the surfaces of the material to be treated 10 in the useful region 11 can be reduced in this way.

Due to the cylindrical shape of the retaining surface and the additional retaining surface 14, the clearances 8, 18 have a clearance height and / or headroom that can be changed in the transport direction 20 of the material to be treated 10. A minimum height clearance 9, 19 of clearances 8, 18 is determined by those points on the

retention 4, 14 that are at more distance short from the surface of material The to be treatise 10 opposite the roll respective 2 and / or 3. Even if days off 8, 18 allow the passage of treatment liquid, the treatment liquid can be

removed from the material to be treated 10 via device 1. Particularly, through the tapering of clearances 8, 18 to the minimum clearance height 9, 19, device 1 can cause a pressure loss that can lead to varying levels of treatment liquid on the two opposite sides of the roller 2 in the direction of transport 20.

Figure 2 schematically shows a treatment liquid 21 which is accumulated on one side of the roller 2 to a level 22, and a layer of treatment liquid 23 remaining after moving the material to be treated 10 beyond the device 1, which has a lower level 24. Device 1 can, in particular, be designed so that the treatment liquid 21 is accumulated on one side of the rollers 2, 3 (in Figure 2 on the left side of the rollers 2,

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3) through the retaining surface 4 and the additional retaining surface 14 to a level 22 which, directly on the retaining surface 4, is higher than the minimum clearance height 9 of the clearance 8 and the minimum height clearance 19, clearance 18, in each case measured from the bottom edge of the corresponding clearance 8, 18 in the position with the minimum clearance height.

As will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 3-6, 9 and 10, the treatment liquid 23 still remaining in the material to be treated after displacement of the material to be treated 10 in addition to the retaining surfaces 4, 14 can be removed from a suitable way, for example, by making the fluid flow over the material to be treated.

The rollers 2, 3 of the device 1 can not only be designed to remove the liquid from the material to be treated 10, but also to transport the material to be treated 10. For this purpose, at its two axial ends the roller 2 can have raised edge portions 5, 6 which are supported against an edge region 12 of the material to be treated 10, when the material to be treated is moved beyond rollers 2, 3. The raised edge portions 5, 6 can be driven in rotation, to transport the material to be treated 10. For the rotational drive of the edge portions 5, 6 an axis 7 is provided which when using device 1 is rotatably mounted in a treatment assembly for the material to be treated be treated 10. By rotating the edge portions 5, 6 in a rotational direction 25, the material to be treated 10 can be transported further.

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Consequently, the roller 3 at its two axial ends may have raised edge portions 15, 16, which rest against an edge region 12 of the material to be treated 10, when the material to be treated is moved beyond the rollers 2 , 3. The embossed edge portions 15, 16 can be driven in rotation to transport the material to be treated 10. For the rotational drive of the edge portions 15, 16, an axis 17 is provided which, when using the device 1, it is pivotally mounted in a treatment assembly for the material to be treated 10. By rotating the edge portions 15, 16 in a rotational direction 26, the material to be treated 10 can be transported further.

The edge portions 5, 6 and / or the edge portions 15, 16 can form a friction connection and / or a positive connection with the material to be treated 10 to transport a material to be treated. For example, in the edge portions 5, 6 and / or in the edge portions 15, 16, projections can be formed that engage corresponding recesses of the material to be treated 10 to transport the material to be treated 10.

In the roll 2, the raised edge portions 5, 6 act as transport portions, which can be coupled to the material to be treated 10 for transporting the material to be treated 10. The retaining surface 4 is displaced in relation to the portions edge 5, 6. The relief and / or the greater radius of the edge portions 5, 6 compared to the radius of the retaining surface 4, determines the minimum clearance height 9. Consequently, on the roll 3 the edge portions in relief 15, 16 act as transport portions that can

20/78 be coupled to the material to be treated 10 for transporting the material to be treated 10. The retaining surface 14 is offset in relation to the edge portions 15, 16. The relief and / or the greater radius of the edge portions 15 , 16 compared to the radius of the retaining surface 14 determines the minimum clearance height 19.

The radii of the edge portions and the retaining surface can be selected to suit the desired field of application. For example, the radius of the roll portion 2, 3 forming the holding surface may be less than the radius of the edge portions of the roll 2, 3 which are used as transport portions of less than 1 mm, particularly of less than 0.7 mm, particularly less than 0.5 mm. The radius of the roll portion 2, 3 forming the holding surface may be less than the radius of the edge portions of the roll 2, 3 which are used as transport portions of at least 0.05 mm, particularly at least 0 , 07 mm, particularly at least 0.09 mm.

In addition, the axis 7 of the roller 2 and / or the axis 17 of the additional roller 3 can be mounted with a height adjustable bearing such that a spacing of the axis 7 a

from the upper surface of the material to be treatise 10 and / or a spacing axis 17 starting gives surface bottom of material to be treated 10 can to be established. 0 roll 2 and the roll additional can be designed in so that when spinning the portions edge 5, 6 and / or 15,

serving as transport portions, the remaining surfaces 4 and / or 14 of the respective roll also rotate in the same direction with the transport portions of the roll

Respective 21/78. For this purpose, the roller 2 and / or the roller 3, for example, can be designed so that both the transport portions and the holding surface are configured on their surface in terms of rotation relative to each other. As part 4 and / or 14 of the roller surface, which is separated from the useful region 11 of the material to be treated 10 and defines the gap 8 and / or the gap 18, is displaced with respect to the transport portions 5, 6 or 15, 16, the roll surface of the roll 2, 3 has a circumferential speed that is different from the transport speed of the material to be treated 10. Alternatively, however, the transport portions can be provided so as to be rotatable with respect to to the retaining surface, as will be explained in more detail with reference to Figure 8.

In one embodiment, the transport portions can be provided to be rotatable with respect to the holding surface. An angular velocity of the retaining surface

can be selected depending on an angular speed of the portions transport, one lightning of portions in transportation and a radius of the portion of roll forming The surface of retention.

Various modifications of device 1 can be implemented in additional modalities.

Although, for example, rollers 2, 3 of device 1 have at their axial ends raised portions 5, 6, 15, 16 more than two raised portions can also be provided on either roller 2 or additional roller 3 The additional embossed portions can therefore be arranged particularly on roll 2 and / or on roll

22/78 additional 3 so that they come into contact with the material to be treated 10 in the surface regions where such mechanical contact is not crucial. For example, the surface regions of the material to be treated that extend in the longitudinal direction of the material to be treated 10 can be supported by the additional embossed portions of roller 2 and / or additional roller 3, if on one side of the material to be treated such contact is not crucial. The additional support action that is performed by the additional raised portions 10 can reduce the risk of unwanted contact of the material to be treated 10 in your useful region.

Although in the device 1, the retaining surfaces 4, which form a gap with a surface of the material to be treated, are provided both above and below the transport plane, in a device according to an additional embodiment a retaining surface can be provided on one side only, and which forms a gap with a surface of the material to be treated. For example, such a gap-forming retaining surface can be arranged only on the upper side or only on the lower side of the transport plane. On the opposite side, for example, a roller can be provided which has a substantially uniform diameter. The gap forming retention surface provided on the other side can lead to a reduction in the forces exerted on the surfaces of the material to be treated, to reduce the risk of damage to the surfaces.

In an additional embodiment, a peripheral surface of a roll with a diameter that is constant, that is, which does not vary in the axial direction of the roll, can also serve as

23/78 a retaining surface that defines a gap between the retaining surface and the surface of the material to be treated. The clearance model, particularly the minimum clearance height, can be made adjustable, by means of the roller being mounted by a bearing, which is height adjustable in relation to the transport plane. In addition, two of such rollers can be provided to remove the liquid on the upper and lower side of the material to be treated, a gap remaining which is formed between the corresponding roller and the material to be treated.

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a device 31 for removing the treatment liquid according to an additional embodiment. The device 31 can be used, for example, in the flow region of the treatment plant 200 of Figure 18 instead of the pair of pass rollers 214, 215, 216. Elements or equipment of the device 31, which in function and / or model correspond to the elements or equipment of device 1, are provided with the same reference numerals and are not explained again in detail.

The device 31 comprises a roller surface configured as a holding surface 4 to retain the liquid. The device 31 is designed so that the retaining surface 4 forms a gap 8 with the surface of a material to be treated 10 opposite to it (in Figure 3 with the upper surface of the material to be treated 10). The retaining surface 4 is, for example, provided on the rotatingly mounted roller 2. Roller 2 can be designed as described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Particularly, as described with reference to

Figures 1 and 2, the circumferential speed of the roll surface at the gap 8 may be different from the transport speed of the material to be treated 10. The holding surface 4 removes the treatment liquid from the material to be treated 10 transported beyond the retaining surface 4. As the gap 8 in one embodiment allows the treatment liquid to pass, the treatment liquid 34 may still be present in the material to be treated 10 after the material to be treated has passed through the roller 2 with the surface retention 4.

The device 31 further comprises a flow device 32 with a nozzle arrangement. The flow device 32 in the transport direction is separated from the roll 2 and from the holding surface 4 provided in the roll 2. The flow device 32 is arranged downstream in the transport direction, that is, in the transport direction after the roll 2 with the retaining surface 4. The flow device 32 is designed to remove from the material to be treated 10 a portion of the treatment liquid 34 that remains in the material to be treated 10 after passing through the gap 8. The flow device 32 can, in particular, be designed to remove from the material to be treated 10 a large portion of the treatment liquid 34 that remains in the material to be treated 10 after passing through the gap 8.

The flow device 32 can discharge a fluid flow 33, particularly a gas flow, for example, an air flow, to blow the treatment liquid 34 from the material to be treated 10, or to remove the treatment liquid otherwise via fluid flow 33. Fluid flow 33 can have at least one

25/78 flow component in the direction of the clearance-forming retaining surface 4 of the device 31 (in Figure 3 a component oriented to the left). On the holding surface 4, the treatment liquid can flow to the side of the material to be treated.

flow device can also be designed so that the fluid flow 3 3 has a flow component which is oriented parallel to the transport plane and transversely to the transport direction 20, that is, parallel to the axial direction of the roller 2, in which the retaining surface 4 is formed. In this way, the treatment liquid 34 can be removed from the material to be treated 10 sideways.

The flow device 32 can extend over the entire width of the material to be treated 10, that is, by the extension of the material to be treated 10 across the direction of transport, over the material to be treated 10. For the discharge of the flow of material fluid 33, the flow device 32 may comprise one or more nozzle openings. The nozzle openings can, for example, be formed as a continuous slit, a plurality of slits or a plurality of holes, which are formed in the latitudinal direction of the material to be treated 10 in the flow device 32. The flow device 32 it can be designed so that the spacing of the nozzle openings in relation to the surface of the material to be treated 10 is substantially the same size over the entire width of the material to be treated.

The flow device 32 may comprise a straight channel body, which is oriented parallel to the plane of

26/78 transport and transversely to the transport direction 20. The channel body can be oriented alternatively parallel to the transport plane and obliquely to the transport direction 20.

In one embodiment, the shape of the flow device 32 may be such that a central portion of the flow device 32 in the latitudinal direction of the material to be treated is arranged closer to the gap-forming retaining surface 4 than an edge portion. of the flow device 32. For example, the flow device 32 may have a shape which in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the transport plane (i.e., in Figure 3 when viewed perpendicular from above over the transport plane) has a convex shape towards the gap 8 formed by the retaining surface 4. For example, the flow device 32 in plan view may have a V shape, its tips pointing towards the retaining surface 4. A flow device thus configured is designed to discharge the fluid flow with a velocity component towards an edge of the material to be treated, to effectively transport the liquid d and treatment towards the edge of the material to be treated and thus removing the treatment liquid.

The flow device 32 can be designed to discharge a gas flow, particularly an air flow, which thus flows over the material to be treated. The flow device 32 can be designed so that a flow rate of the gas flow 33 is at least 2 m / second, particularly at least 10 m / second, particularly at least 30 m / second.

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The flow device 32 can also be designed to discharge a flow of liquid and thus flow over the material to be treated. The flow device 32 can be designed so that a flow rate of liquid flow 5 of liquid 33 is at least 0.1 m / second, particularly at least 1 m / second, particularly at least 3 m / second.

The flow device 32 can be designed so that a flow direction of the fluid flow 33 can be parallel or oblique to the surface of the material to be treated. In particular, the flow device 32 can be configured so that the flow of fluid flows out of the nozzle openings of the flow device 32 in the direction of clearance 8 and / or transversely to the direction of transport, towards an edge of the flow. material to be treated 10. Alternatively, the flow direction can also be directed perpendicular to the surface of the material to be treated 10.

Flow device 32 can be configured so

0 that the fluid flow 33 does not pass through the opening 8, that is, it does not enter the treatment liquid accumulated on the opposite side of the gap formation retaining surface

4. In this way, fluid flow 33 can cause bubbles to form in the treatment liquid 21. To prevent fluid flow 33 passing through gap 8, for example, a flow of volume or one or more of a volume flow, the flow rate, and / or the flow direction of the fluid flow 33 from the flow device 32 can be accordingly established.

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The device 31 can be designed so that a spacing or the different spacing between the gap 8 and the nozzle opening and / or the nozzle openings of the flow device 32 are at most 100 mm and at least 10 5 mm.

As shown in Figure 3, the device 31 can also comprise an additional roll surface configured as a holding surface 14 arranged below the transport plane, which can be formed into an additional roll 3.

Various modifications of the device 31 can be implemented in additional modalities. Although, for example, with reference to Figure 3, a device 31 for removing the treatment liquid has been described, in which the flow device 32 is arranged downstream of the roller 2 with the clearance forming retaining surface 4 in the direction for transporting the material to be treated 10, a device for keeping the treatment liquid at a distance can also be designed so that the flow device in the direction of transport of the material to be treated is arranged in front of the forming holding surface gap and / or upstream of the gap-forming retention surface. A device so formed can, in particular, be used in an inflow region of a treatment plant.

In a device for removing or maintaining the treatment liquid in accordance with an additional embodiment, the flow device 32 can be provided alternatively or additionally below the transport plane, for blowing the liquid from one side

29/78 bottom of the material to be treated 10 or otherwise to remove the liquid from the material to be treated 10 via the flow of fluid 33 discharged from the flow device.

If the flow device is provided below the conveying plane, it can be designed so that the flow of fluid produced by the conveying device has a velocity component parallel to the conveying direction which is directed away from the air holding surface. clearance formation. For example, in a flow device provided in a flow region of a treatment plant, the flow of fluid produced by the flow device may have a velocity component oriented in the direction of transport.

If a flow device for removing the treatment liquid is provided above the transport plane, a transport element can be provided in the corresponding position below the transport plane. In a similar manner, if a flow device for removing the treatment liquid is provided below the transport plane, a transport element can be provided in the corresponding position above the transport plane. The transport element and the flow device can be arranged in the same position in the direction of transport on opposite sides of the transport plane.

The transport element can, for example, be designed to support and / or transport the material to be treated. The transport element can be configured as a roller. The roller may have an offset holding surface, but it may also have a substantially

30/78 constant in the axial direction. The transport element can also be formed as a wheel axle, on which several wheels are provided. The wheels can be designed to come into contact with the material to be treated to transport the material to be treated.

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a flow region 41 from a treatment plant. Such a flow region 41 can be provided in the treatment station 200 of Figure 18 at one end of the inner container 201, in which the material to be treated leaves the treatment station. In the flow region a material to be treated 10 is further transported in a transport direction 20 from a treatment region 42 in which a treatment liquid 21 covers the material to be treated.

The flow region 41 comprises a plurality of devices 43, 44 and 45 for removing the treatment liquid from the material to be treated 10. The devices 43, 44 and 45 for removing the treatment liquid are separated from each other in the direction of transport 20, arranged along a transport path of the material to be treated 10. Each of the devices 43, 44 and 45 can have a retaining surface which is arranged in relation to the transport plane, so that a gap is formed between the retaining surface and the surface of the material to be treated 10 opposite it.

Devices 43, 44 and 45 can be formed as devices for removing the treatment liquid according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, device 43 may comprise a pair of rollers 51, 52 which are arranged

31/78 so that the material to be treated 10 can be passed between them. On at least one of the rollers 51, 52 of the device 43, a gap forming retention surface can be formed to retain the treatment liquid so that a gap is formed between the retention surface and the surface of the material to be treated 10 opposite the holding surface, when the material to be treated is moved beyond rollers 51, 52. Particularly, at least one of the rollers 51, 52 may have raised edge regions for transporting the material to be treated 10 and a surface displaced retention provided between them. The device 43 can, for example, be configured in the manner of the device 1 described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. At least the roller 51, 52 on which the gap forming retention surface is formed, is driven so that the circumferential speed of the roller surface at the edge of the gap, that is, along the line on which the roller surface is separated by the minimum clearance height from the material to be treated 10, differs in orientation and / or value from the transport speed of the material to be treated 10.

The device 44 may have a roller 53 arranged above the transport plane and a flow device 54 and a roller 55 arranged below the transport plane and a flow device 56. On at least one of the rollers 53, 55 of the device 44, a gap forming retention surface can be formed to retain the treatment liquid so that a gap is formed between the retention surface and the surface of the material to be treated opposite the retention surface, when the material to be treated is

32/78 moved beyond the rollers 53, 55. Particularly, at least one of the rollers 53, 55 can have raised edge regions for transporting the material to be treated 10 and a displaced retention surface provided between them, as explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Flow devices 54 and 56 cause a fluid flow 33 to flow over the material to be treated 10, for example, an air flow, to remove the treatment liquid that remains in the material to be treated. to be treated. For this purpose, the fluid flows 33 discharged by the flow devices 54 and 56 can be directed so that they move and thus remove the treatment liquid towards an edge of the material to be treated.

The device 45 may have a roller 57 disposed above the transport plane and a flow device 58 and a roll 59 arranged below the transport plane and a flow device 60. On at least one of the rollers 57, 59 of the device 45, a gap forming retaining surface for retaining the treatment liquid can be formed so that a gap is formed between the retaining surface and the surface of the material to be treated 10 opposite the retaining surface when the material to be treated it is moved beyond rollers 57, 59. Particularly, at least one of the rollers 57, 59 may have raised edge regions for transporting the material to be treated 10 and a displaced retention surface provided between them, as explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Flow devices 58 and 60 cause a fluid flow 33 to flow over the material to be treated 10, for example, an air flow, to remove the liquid from

33/78 treatment that remains in the material to be treated. To that end, fluid flows 33 discharged from flow devices 58 and 60 can be directed so that they move and thus remove the treatment liquid towards an edge of the material to be treated.

Of the rollers 53, 55, 57, 59, at least those that form a gap between the roll corresponding to the material to be treated are rotated so that the circumferential speed of the roll is different in the gap in value and / or orientation of the transport speed of the material to be treated 10.

The clearance forming retention surfaces of devices 43, 44 and 45 through which the material to be treated 10 passes in succession, may be of different models. For example, gaps in devices can become increasingly narrow. For example, device 43 can be designed so that a gap is formed with a first minimum gap height between the holding surface of the device 43 and the opposite surface of the material to be treated 10, while the device 44 is arranged downstream of the device 43 in the direction of transport can be designed so that a gap is formed with a second minimum clearance height between the retaining surface of the device 44 and the opposite surface of the material to be treated 10. Thus, the second minimum height of clearance in device 44 may be less than the first minimum clearance height in device 43, that is, the clearances in the flow region of the treatment plant from a device to a

34/78 additional device for removing the treatment liquid arranged downstream in the direction of transport may be of a lower height.

Device 43, which defines the treatment region

42, is designed so that a difference in levels 74 of the treatment liquid is established between the sides of the roller that are opposite each other in the direction of transport. In the treatment region 42, the treatment liquid 21 is accumulated to a level 71, while in the adjacent region on the other side of the roller 51, the treatment liquid is accumulated to a level 72.

The device 44, which is disposed downstream of the device 43 in the direction of transport, is designed so that the treatment liquid is removed from the material to be treated 10, when the material to be treated 10 passes through the rollers 53, 55 The treatment liquid 73 which is still present in the material to be treated 10 after moving the material to be treated by passing the rollers 53, 55, is at least partially removed by the flow devices 54,

56. By means of device 45 which is arranged downstream of device 44 in the direction of transport, an additional portion of the treatment liquid can be removed from the material to be treated, which after passing through device 44 may still be present in the material to be treated 10 .:

Through the use of a plurality of!

devices for removing the treatment liquid, the 'treatment liquid can be safely removed from' the material to be treated 10, even when gaps remain between the retaining surfaces and the material to be treated

35/78 to be treated 10.

Between a base 46 of an internal container of the treatment plant and the roller 52 of the device 43 arranged below the transport plane, a barrier 47 is provided.

Through the barrier 47, a difference in levels 74 between the liquid levels 71, 72 can be established on both sides of the device 43. For this purpose, openings 61, for example, in the form of elongated holes, perforations or notches are formed in barrier 47. Openings 61 may be capable of closing to adjust the flow of liquid through barrier 47, and thus adjust the difference in levels 74 between liquid levels 71 and 72.

Level 72 in the region adjacent to the treatment region

42, is determined by balancing the flows of treatment liquid flowing in and out. In order to be able to adjust the flows and thus level 72, between barriers 47, 48 one or more openings, for example, holes that can be closed, can be provided in the base 46. By means of an appropriate choice of the openings that are opened at the barrier 47, and the openings that are opened at the base 46, a basic setting for a desired level 72 in the region adjacent to the adjacent region 42 can be selected. In addition, overflow barriers can be provided in the elements that define the treatment plant laterally, for example, in the bearing receivers that are provided to support rollers 51, 52, 53 and 55. Quantities of liquid flowing inwardly can be discharged through overflow barriers.

To balance the flow of treatment liquid that

36/78 flows out of the treatment region 42, the treatment liquid can be transported by a pump (not shown) into the treatment region 42.

Between the base 46 of the internal container of the treatment plant and the roller 5 5 of the device 44 arranged below the transport plane, a barrier 48 is provided. The barrier 48 does not have to have any opening that can be closed to adjust the level of liquid. Barrier 48 assists in reducing the flow of treatment liquid away from the treatment region.

In additional embodiments, modifications can be implemented in the flow region 41. In one embodiment, for example, device 45 can be omitted. Consequently, two devices for removing the treatment liquid 15 can be provided in the flow region.

At least the last of these devices in the transport direction may have a flow device. The flow device can be provided at least above the transport plane.

In an additional embodiment, various devices for removing liquid may be provided which have a barrier with an opening or a plurality of openings to adjust for a difference in levels. The barrier in each case has a model as explained with reference to the barrier

47. In one embodiment, for example, in the inflow or outflow region, two devices can be provided in each case with at least one roller that has a retaining surface to retain the liquid, which forms a gap with the material to be be treated guided passing through the surface of

0 retention, in each of the devices below the

37/78 transport a barrier being provided with an opening or a plurality of openings, as described for barrier 47. In the separate transport direction of both of these devices, an additional device can be provided which has a model corresponding to the device 44. In this way, for example, in an inflow and flow region at least two regions can be formed with a level of treatment liquid that is lower in relation to the treatment region.

Although in devices 43 to 45 for removing liquid in each case a roller is provided not only above but also below the transport plane, which forms a gap with a material to be treated guided by passing the roller, in an additional mode each of devices for removing liquid can be configured in such a way that a retaining surface is provided only on the roller provided above the transport plane, which leaves a gap between the retaining surface and the material to be treated guided through the roller. The rollers provided below the transport plane can have a uniform diameter in the axial direction of the rollers.

In one embodiment, one of the flow devices 54, 56 can be replaced by a transport element. The transport element can be designed to support and / or transport the material to be treated. The transport element can, for example, be configured as a roller or wheel axle. Alternatively or in addition, one of the flow devices 58, 60 can be replaced by a transport element. The transport element can be designed to support and / or to transport the material to

38/78 be treated. The transport element can, for example, be configured as a roller or as a wheel axle.

In one embodiment, one of the flow devices 56, 60 provided below the transport plane can be configured so that the fluid flow 33 produced by the flow device 56, 60 has a velocity component which faces the flow region 41 in the direction of transport.

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a flow region 81 from a treatment plant. Such flow region 81 can be provided in the treatment station 200 of Figure 18 at one end of the inner container 201 in which the material to be treated leaves the inner container 201. In the flow region a material to be treated 10 is further transported in a transport direction 20 from a treatment region 82, in which a treatment liquid 21 covers the material to be treated. Elements or devices of the flow region 81 which in their functions and / or models correspond to the elements or devices of the flow region 41, are provided with the same reference numerals and are not explained again in detail.

At specific treatment stations it may be desirable in the treatment region 82 to establish a relatively high liquid level 91. The liquid level 91 in the treatment region 82 can, for example, be arranged at least 15 mm above the transport plane.

The flow region 81 is provided with a plurality of devices 83, and 45 to remove or keep the treatment liquid at a distance

The device

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it comprises rollers 84, 85 which are arranged so that the material to be treated 10 can be passed between them. On at least one of the rollers 84, 85 of the device

83, a gap forming retention surface can be formed to retain the treatment liquid so that a gap is formed between the retention surface and the surface of the material to be treated 10 opposite the retention surface, when the material to be treated being treated is moved past the rollers 84, 85. Particularly, at least one of the rollers 84, 85 may have raised edge regions for transporting the material to be treated 10 and a displaced retention surface provided between them. The pair of rollers

84, 85 can, for example, be configured as in device 1 explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2. At least roller 84, 85 on which the gap forming retention surface is formed, is driven so that the speed circumferential of the roll surface in the gap, that is, along the line on which the roll surface is separated by the minimum clearance height from the material to be treated 10, differs from the transport speed of the material to be treated 10 in orientation and / or value.

To allow an accumulation of treatment liquid up to a high level 91, the device 83 has an additional retaining element 86 above the roller 84. The additional retaining element 86 is designed to contribute, with a high liquid level in the region of treatment 82, for the accumulation of the treatment liquid, because it acts as a wall for the accumulated liquid. Additional retaining element 86 can, for example, be configured as a 30 roll which is configured in a manner complementary to the

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roll 84, so that rollers 84, 86 are hermetically sealed and allow only a small passage of liquid or do not allow any passage of liquid between rollers 84, 86. Other embodiments of additional element 86 are possible, for example, in the form of a pillar.

Device 83 is designed so that a difference in levels 97 of the treatment liquid between level 91 in the treatment region 82 and a level 92 in the region adjacent to it on the other side of device 83 is adjusted and maintained 10 via the device 83. The device 44 arranged downstream of the device 83 in the direction of transport removes the additional treatment liquid from the material to be treated 10 when that material to be treated passes through the device 44. Instead of level 15, only a smaller amount of treatment liquid 93 is found in the material to be treated 10, when the material to be treated 10 has passed through the pair of rollers of the device 44. The device 45 arranged downstream of the device 44 in the transport direction can 20 removing even more treatment liquid from the material to be treated 10 as long as this is still required after passing through the device 44.

To adjust the difference in levels 97, openable openings 61 are provided at barrier 47. Level 25 92 in the region adjacent to the treatment region 82 is determined by balancing the flows of treatment liquid flowing in and out. In order to adjust these flows and thus level 92, one or more openings 96, for example, holes that can be closed, 30 can be provided in the base 46 between the barriers 47, 48.

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By a suitable choice of openings 61 which are opened at the barrier 47, and the openings 96 which are opened at the base 46, a basic setting for a desired level 92 in the region adjacent to the treatment region 82 can be selected. In addition, overflow barriers can be provided in the elements that define the treatment plant laterally, for example, in the bearing receivers, which are provided to support the rollers of devices 83 and 84. Quantities of liquids additionally flowing inward can be discharged through overflow barriers.

To balance the flow of treatment liquid flowing out of the treatment region 82, a flow 95 of the treatment liquid is transported by a pump 84 into the treatment region 82.

Although with reference to Figures 4 and 5 modalities of the flow regions of a treatment plant have been described, devices for removing or keeping the treatment liquid at a distance can consequently be provided in an inflow region of a treatment plant. In particular, in the inflow region, several devices can also be provided separate from each other in the direction of transport to remove or maintain the distance to the treatment liquid, to prevent the treatment liquid from flowing over the material to be treated, before the material to be treated is fed into the inflow region into the treatment plant.

clearance forming retention surface model can be selected in an appropriate manner depending on the specific fields of application.

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Figure 6 is a schematic front view of a device 101 for removing or maintaining the treatment liquid at a distance according to an additional embodiment.

Device 101 comprises a roll 102 and a roll

additional 103 . 0 roll 102 and O additional roll 103 are willing in that a material The be treated 10 can be transported in between the rolls 102 and 103. A surface

peripheral roller 102 has a retaining surface 104 which is configured to retain the treatment liquid. The roll 102 with the retaining surface 104 is configured so that a gap 8 remains between the retaining surface 104 of the roll 102 and a surface of the material to be treated 10 opposite the retaining surface, when the material to be treated 10 is moved past roll 102. The axial end portions 105 of roll 102 are configured with a smaller diameter than the central portion of roll 102 defining the holding surface 104, to act as transport portions for transporting the material to be treated 10 if the material to be treated is retained at its longitudinal edges by the retaining rails.

A peripheral surface of the additional roller 103 has an additional retaining surface 106 which is configured to retain the treatment liquid. The additional roll 103 with the additional retaining surface 106 is designed so that a gap 18 remains between the additional retaining surface 106 of the additional roll 103, and a surface of the material to be treated 10 opposite to that roll, when the material to be treated. be treated 10 is moved past the

43/78 additional roll 103. Axial end portions 107 of the additional roll 103 are configured with a smaller diameter than the central portion of the additional roll 103 defining the additional holding surface 106, to act as transport portions for transporting the material to be treated 10, if the material to be treated is retained at its longitudinal edges by the retaining rails.

At the longitudinal edges of the material to be treated 10, retention rails 108, 109 are provided which retain the material to be treated for transporting the material to be treated 10. Such retention rails 108, 109 can, in particular, be used to transport the material to be treated with inherent low rigidity, to provide additional stability to the material to be treated. The roll 102 and additional roll 103 of the device 101 are designed so that their axial end portions 105, 107 with a smaller diameter rest against the retaining rails 108, 10 9. By turning the roll 102 and the additional roll 103, the material to be treated 10 can be further transported by means of the retaining rails 108, 109.

In the device 101, the retaining surfaces 104, 106 of the rollers 102, 103 are offset in relation to the transport portion provided at the axial end of the rollers 102, 103, so that clearances 8, 18 are formed with the desired minimum clearance height. between the retaining surfaces 104, 106 and the surfaces of the material to be treated 10 opposite to the retaining surfaces, when the material to be treated 10 is moved past the retaining surfaces 104, 106.

In device 101, rollers 102, 103 do not enter

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directly in contact with the material to be treated 10. The transport of the material to be treated 10 occurs by coupling the transport portions 105, 107 with the retaining rails 108, 109 in which the material to be treated 10 is retained .

In device 101 the roll surface of roll 102 defining the gap 8 on one side, which forms the holding surface 104, has a circumferential speed that is less than the speed of transport of the material to be treated 10. The roll surface of the roll 103 defining the gap 18 on one side, which is formed by the retaining surface 106, has a circumferential speed that is less than the transport speed of the material to be treated 10.

In a modification of device 101, rollers 102,

103 can be configured so that they come into contact with the material to be treated 10 in an edge region adjacent to the holding rails 108, 109 to transport the material to be treated. For this purpose, on the rollers 102, 103, relief transport portions can be provided which come into contact with the material to be treated adjacent to the retention rails 108, 109. Rollers 102, 103 can be additionally designed so that between rollers 102, 103 and retaining rails 108,

109 a clearance is also formed for displacing the liquid. For this purpose, recesses or grooves correspondingly indented in relation to the transport portions of the rollers to compress the liquid from the retaining rails can be provided on the rollers 102, 103.

The gap formed between the rollers and the retaining rails

45/78 can have a minimum clearance height that can be less than 1 mm, particularly less than 0.7 mm, particularly less than 0.5 mm. The gap formed between the rollers and the retaining rails can have a minimum clearance height that can be at least 0.05 mm, particularly at least 0.07 mm, particularly at least 0.09 mm.

The device 101 for compressing the liquid from the retained material to be treated can also comprise a flow device. The flow device can be configured as explained with reference to Figure 3. The flow device can be designed, in particular, so that the flow of fluid discharged from the flow device also removes the treatment liquid from the flow rails. retention.

On the holding rails 108, 109, direct holes can be provided which allow the liquid to pass through the holding rails transversely to the transport direction.

The rollers 102, 103 can be designed to exert a force on the retaining rails 108, 109 provided on at least one of the longitudinal edges, with a force component that is in the transport plane and is oriented transversely to the transport direction. The force can be oriented so that the retaining rails 108, 109 provided at the opposite longitudinal edges can be forced to separate to secure the material to be treated 10 transversely to the direction of transport. For this purpose, for example, the retaining rail (s) 108 and / or 109 on at least one longitudinal edge of the material to be treated may have one or more electromagnets, particularly

permanent electromagnets. The roll 102 provided above the transport plane and / or the roll 104 provided below the transport plane can have an electromagnet or a plurality of electromagnets, to exert electromagnetic force on the retaining rail. The force can be oriented so that the retaining rails are forced to resiliently separate at the opposite longitudinal edges of the material to be treated 10.

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of a device 111 for removing or keeping the treatment liquid at a distance. In device 111 the retaining surfaces are not provided on a rotatingly mounted roller. According to one embodiment, device 111 may be provided in a treatment plant in combination with a roller with the model disclosed with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

Device 111 comprises two substantially cuboidal elements

112, 113 which can be used as inserts in an assembly to treat a material to be treated 10.

insert 112 is arranged above the transport plane, and insert 113 is arranged below the transport plane. A surface of the 112 inserts,

113 serves as a holding surface which holds the treatment liquid.

The inserts 112, 113 of the device 111 are arranged in relation to a transport path of the material to be treated 10, so that between an upper surface of the material to be treated 10 and a lateral surface 114 of the!

insert 112 facing the upper surface, a gap 115 remains if the material to be treated 10 is guided | The

47/78 passing through device 111, and where a gap 118 remains between the lower surface of the material to be treated 10 and a side surface 117 of the insert 113 facing the lower surface, when the material to be treated 10 is guided through the device 111. The side surface 114 of the insert 112 and the side surface 117 of the insert 117 can have a flat design, so that the clearances 115 and 118 extend in the direction of transport with a uniform clearance height.

The inserts 112, 113 of the device 111 have an open inflow region opposite the transport direction 20, which is formed by chamfers 116, 119 in the inserts 112, 113. Such an inflow region can, for example, be used to guide the material to be treated with inherent low rigidity, for example, films.

The device 111 comprising the inserts 112, 113 can be used to accumulate the treatment liquid 21 in an assembly for the electrolytic or wet chemical treatment of the material to be treated 10. If the material to be treated 10 is guided through the inserts 112 , 113 from a treatment region arranged on a first side (left in Figure 7) of the inserts, in which the treatment liquid 21 is accumulated to a level 121, a layer of the treatment liquid of a smaller depth 122 remains on the material to be treated 10.

The inserts 112, 113 can be configured in a suitable manner according to the structural conditions of the assembly in which the device 111 is used. For example, inserts 112, 113 can be designed so that clearances 115, 118 in transport direction 20 are as long as

48/78 possible.

The inserts 112, 113 can be fixedly mounted in terms of rotation in the assembly for wet electrolytic or chemical treatment. Inserts 112, 113 in the assembly, in particular, can be fixed in a position that is fixed in the direction of transport. Inserts 112, 113 can be secured so that they are movable vertically with respect to each other.

In a modification of device 111, a cuboid insert is provided above the transport plane while below the transport plane a roller is provided for transporting the material to be treated. The cuboid insert may, for example, have the same model as insert 112 of device 111.

Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a treatment station 131 in which in a region of influx a pair of rollers 132, 133 is provided and in a flow region an additional pair of rollers 134, 135 is provided. in the inflow region is arranged above the transport plane and the roll 133 in the inflow region is arranged below the transport plane of a material to be treated

10. The roll 134 in the flow region is arranged above the transport plane and the roll 135 in the flow region is arranged below the transport plane of a material to be treated 10. Through the pairs of rollers, the treatment liquid 21 at treatment plant 131 is;

accumulated to a level 136.

Each of the rollers 132 to 135 has at their axial endsΐ transport portions in the form of relief portions §

0 5, 15, for the transport of the material to be treated. Sign in

49/78 the transport portions provided at the ends, a retaining surface 4, 14 with a smaller diameter is formed. As explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the surface of the rollers formed as a holding surface 4, 14 forms a gap with the material to be treated guided through the rollers, which extends in the latitudinal direction of the material to be treated.

The different portions of the roll 132 in the inflow region are pivoted so that the transport portions 5 and the holding surface 4 arranged between the roll 132 provided above the transport plane rotate in the same direction. The different portions of the roll 133 in the inflow region are pivoted so that the transport portions 15 and the holding surface 14 arranged between the roll 133 provided below the transport plane rotate in the same direction. The direction of rotation 141 of the transport portions 5 of the roll 132 provided above the transport plane is selected so that the transport portions 5 at their points of contact with the material to be treated 10 move in the transport direction 20 to transport the material to be treated 10 in the transport direction 20. The direction of rotation 143 of the transport portions 15 of the roll 133 provided below the transport plane is selected so that the transport portions 15 at their points of contact with the material j to be treated 10 move in the direction of transport 20, í to transport the material to be treated 10 in the direction ofξ 20. The holding surface 4 of the roll 132J provided above the transport plane is rotated in the same directionJ with the portions transport 5 of roll 132 in one

50/78 rotational direction 142, so that the portion of the retaining surface 4 which faces directly towards the material to be treated 10, moves towards the highest liquid level (to the right in Figure 8). Similarly, the retaining surface 14 of the roll 133 provided below the transport plane is rotated in the same direction with the transport portions 15 in a rotational direction 144, so that the portion of the retaining surface 14 that faces directly toward the material to be treated 10, moves towards the highest liquid level (to the right in Figure 8).

By means of a suitable design of the rollers 132, 133, a high liquid level 136 can be accumulated while the movement of the retaining surfaces 4 towards the region with the high liquid level sufficiently reduces the passage of liquid through the formed gaps on the retaining surfaces 4 of rollers 132, 133. For this purpose, rollers 132, 133 can be designed so that a gap is formed with a minimum clearance height of less than 0.3 mm, for example, less than 0.1 mm between the holding surface 4, 14 and the surface of the material to be treated 10 opposite the holding surface. For example, the transport portions can be increased by less than 0.3 mm, for example, by less than 0.1 mm, in relation to the holding surface.

In the flow region, the transport portions 5, 15 of the rollers 134, 135 are rotated in a rotational direction 145, 14 7 so that the transport portions 5, 15 move in their points of contact with the material to be treated 10 in the direction of transport 20.

51/78

To reduce the passage of liquid through the gaps formed in the flow region by means of the rollers 134, 135 in the flow region, the roll 134 provided above the transport plane can be configured so that the retaining surface 4 of the roll 134 can be rotated with respect to the transport portion 5 of the roll 134. Similarly, the roll 13 5 provided below the transport plane can be configured so that the holding surface 14 of the roll 135 can be rotated with respect to the transport portion 15 of the roll 134. roll 135. In the flow region, the holding surface 4 of roll 134 provided above the transport plane can be rotated in a rotational direction 146 which is the opposite direction to the rotational direction 145 of the transport portion 5 of that roll 134. The holding surface 14 of roll 135 provided below the transport plane can be rotated in a rotational direction 148, which is opposite to the rotational direction 147 of the portion of transport 15 of that roll 135. In this way, a rotation of the retaining surfaces 4, 14 can also occur in the flow region so that the portion of the retaining surface 4 of the roll 134 provided above the transport plane, which faces directly towards the material to be treated 10, it moves towards the highest liquid level (on the left in Figure 8). Similarly, the holding surface 14 of the roll 135 can be rotated in the opposite direction to the transport portion 15 so that the portion of the holding surface 14 of the roll 135, which faces directly towards the material to be treated 10, if shifts towards the highest liquid level (left in Figure 8).

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The roll surface of roll 134 serving as a holding surface 4 is rotated so that the points on the roll surface closest to the transport plane, move in a direction (left in Figure 8) opposite the transport direction of the material to be treated 10. In this way, a relative movement is produced between the roll surface 4 at the top edge of the edge 8 and the material to be treated 10. The roll surface of the roll 135 serving as a holding surface 5 is rotated so that the points on the roller surface closest to the transport plane move in one direction (left on

Figure 8) opposite the transport direction of the material to be treated 10. In this way, a relative movement is produced between the roller surface at the bottom edge of the gap 9 and the material to be treated 10. In addition, the rollers 134, 135 in the flow region they can be designed so that a gap is formed with a minimum clearance height of less than 0.3 mm, for example, by less than 0.1 mm between the retaining surface 4, 14 and the surface of the material to be treated 10 opposite the retaining surface.

For example, the transport portions can be increased by less than 0.3 mm, for example, by less than 0.1 mm, in relation to the holding surface.

Alternatively or additionally, in each case, one or more flow devices may be provided in the region

inflow and / or at region in flow gives season in treatment 131, to remove the liquid in treatment emerging through of days off per intermediate in a stream in

fluid, as explained with reference to Figure 3.

Through an appropriate model of the pairs of

53/78 roller, in the inflow region and / or flow region, it is possible to reduce a flow of liquid through the gaps that remains during transport of the material to be treated, so that in the inflow region and / or in the flow region

flow from the treatment plant a flow device is not provided for blowing far the liquid from treatment. In the inflow region and / or in the region draining, multiple devices for remove or keep from a distance treatment liquid also can be provided respectively as explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Devices and devices methods of wake up with different

modalities make it possible in an assembly for the electrolytic or wet chemical treatment of material to be treated to remove or maintain a treatment liquid from the material to be treated at a distance or to increase the exchange of material in the material to be treated, direct contact between elements and a useful region of the material to be treated that can be reduced or avoided.

Figure 9 is a partially sectional side view of a flow region 221 from a treatment plant. The device shown for removing liquid may comprise a pair of rollers 231, 232, a removal device 235, a flow device 236 and a drive device 238. The device can, for example, be used instead of the rollers of pass 214 and / or 215 through treatment station 200 in Figure 18.

The treatment plant has an internal chute with a 222 base. The treatment liquid has a region of the

treatment plant an operating level 223 at a height 224 relative to the base 222. operating level 223 is adjustable so that the material to be treated 10 is covered by the treatment liquid before passing through the pair of rollers 231, 232 As already described with reference to

Figures 4 and 5, this can be achieved by a barrier 227 in combination with the roller pair 231, 232 so that the treatment liquid downstream of barrier 227 only reaches a level 225 below the transport plane of the material to be treated 10. The height 226 of the treatment liquid downstream of barrier 227 is less than height 224 upstream of the barrier.

The rollers 231, 232 are designed so that in any case they are separated from the useful region of the material to be treated 10, which extends continuously between the opposite edge portions. The roller 231 is arranged above the transport plane of the material to be treated. The roller 232 is arranged below the transport plane of the material to be treated. Each of the rollers 231, 232 is covered in at least a part of its circumference with treatment liquid.

Rollers 231, 232 can be configured so that they are separated from the entire material to be treated 10 when the material to be treated 10 is moved past rollers 231, 232. Particularly, rollers 231, 232 can be designed 25 that they do not cooperate during the transport of the material to be treated 10. The rollers 231, 232 may have a cylindrical roller surface 228 and / or 229.

A gap between the roller surface 228 of the roller 231 and the material to be treated 10 extends continuously between the 30 edge regions of the material to be treated 10 in one

55/78 latitudinal direction. An additional gap between the roller surface 229 of the roller 232 and the material to be treated 10 extends continuously between the edge regions of the material to be treated 10 in the latitudinal direction.

The rollers 231, 232 are pivotally driven by the drive device 238. The drive device can comprise a driver, for example, a motor and components suitable for transmitting torque from the driver to the rollers 231, 232. The device drive 238 for rollers 231, 232 can comprise components, which are at the same time drive device components for other elements, for example, transport rollers.

Advantageously, the drive device 238 can be provided within the treatment plant. At least the motor of the drive device 238 can be encapsulated.

The drive device 238 drives the roller 231 in such a way that the roller has a circumferential speed with a value of vl. Along the line 233 in which the roller surface 228 of the roller 231 is separated by the clearance height from the useful region of the material to be treated 10, the speed vector 234 of the circumferential speed is oriented contrary to the transport speed vT of the material to be treated. Due to the viscous resistance between the roller 231 and the treatment liquid, leakage of treatment liquid through the gap can be reduced. Generally, in an inflow region or flow region of a treatment plant, the roller 231 arranged above the transport plane can be driven so that the roller surface on the line defining the gap moves in the direction of the

56/78 highest level. The value of vl speed and / or rotational speed of roller 231 can be adjusted depending on a desired difference in levels of the treatment liquid between the two sides of the roller.

The drive device 238 drives the roller 232 such that the roller has a circumferential speed of a value of v2. Roller 231 and roller 232 are driven so that they rotate in the same direction. In one embodiment, the circumferential speed v2 of the second roll 232 has the same value as the transport speed of the material to be treated vT ± 20%. As a result, the risk that a material to be treated 10 with inherent low rigidity is deflected to such an extent that it comes into undesirable contact with one of the rollers 231, 232, can be reduced. The roller 232 can also be driven so that the value of the circumferential speed v2 is greater than the value of the transport speed vT.

In one embodiment, rollers 231, 232 are driven, so that vl = v2.

The drive device 238 can drive the roller 231 so that the roller 231 draws the treatment liquid. The amount of treatment liquid entrained depends on the surface properties of the roller 231, particularly the surface roughness, the rotational speed and the diameter of the roller 231.

The removal device 235 removes the treatment liquid entrained from the roll 231. The removal device 235 can, for example, be configured as a strip extending parallel to the axis of the roll 231.

removal device 235 can be configured so that

57/78 it compensates for a variation of the treatment liquid entrained by the roller 231 in the axial direction of the roller 231. For example, the removal device 235 in the axial direction of the roller 231 can be at a uniform distance from the roller surface 228 The removal device 231 can be configured so that it does not completely remove the treatment liquid from the roller 231, so that due to the rotation of the roller 231 a film of the treatment liquid is formed with a finite thickness around the 10 roller 231. The removal device 235 can be configured so that the film of the treatment liquid around the roller 231 reduces the effective cross-section of the gap between the roller 231 and the material to be treated 10 for the liquid leakage. treatment.

The removal device 235 can be adjustable in relation to the roller 231, to establish the amount of treatment liquid retained by the removal device 231. In this way, the amount of treatment liquid retained can be determined depending on the case, for example, depending on the desired level 223.

The flow device 236 causes a fluid 237, for example air, to flow over the material to be treated 10. The treatment liquid which, after the passage of the material to be treated 10 between the rollers 231, 232, 25 is still located in the material to be treated 10 can therefore be removed. The flow device can be configured as disclosed with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

Figure 10 is a partially sectional side view of a flow region 241 from a treatment plant comprising a device for removing

58/78 treatment liquid. The treatment liquid removal device comprises a pair of rollers 231, 232, a removal device 235, a flow device 236, and a drive device 248. The device can, for example, be used instead of the pass rollers 214 and / or 214 in the treatment station 200 of Figure 18. Elements and devices which in their models and / or functions correspond to the elements and / or devices of the flow region 221 and have been described with reference to Figure 9, are denoted by same reference numerals as in Figure 9.

The drive device 248 is designed so that the roller 232 rotates in the opposite direction to the roller 231. The surface of the roller 232 has a circumferential speed with a value of v2. Along the line in which the roller 232 is separated from the material to be treated 10 by the minimum clearance height, the circumferential speed is oriented in the opposite direction to the direction of transport of the material to be treated. Due to the viscous resistance between the roller 232 and the treatment liquid, the leakage of the treatment liquid through the gap between the roller 232 and the material to be treated, can be reduced. Particularly, for the material to be treated 10 with sufficient inherent rigidity, for example, for a circuit board with high inherent rigidity, the rollers vl, v2 can be rotated in opposite directions shown in Figure 10. j circumferential speed value v2 of roller 232 * can, for example, be selected depending on which liquid flow is tolerated through the gap between roller 232 and the material to be treated 10. Through a speed

K

59/78 circumferential with a higher value v2, the amount of treatment liquid escaping per unit time can be reduced. In one embodiment, rollers 231, 23 2 are driven in such a way that vl = v2.

Although with reference to Figures 9 and 10, devices comprising a pair of rollers have been described, in

modalities additional multiple pairs in rolls , according described with reference to the Figures 9 and 10, can be provided in a drainage region of an station of treatment. For example, several of such roller pairs

as described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 can be provided separately from each other in the direction of transport. In this way, a series of levels in the form of a waterfall can be obtained. Alternatively or additionally, the pair of rollers comprising an arranged device separated from them in the direction of transport can be combined with fixed elements, as shown, for example, in Figure 7.

Although with reference to Figures 9 and 10 the devices comprising a pair of rollers have been described, in additional embodiments instead of one of the rollers, for example, instead of the roll 232 provided below the transport plane, a fixed element can be provided . In additional modalities, both the rollers, 231 and 232, do not have to be separated from the material to be treated 10. If the side of the material to be treated facing the roller is sensitive to contact, according to the modalities, the roller is provided separately from the material to be treated.

Although in the context of the modalities, the use of devices to remove or keep the liquid at a distance

60/78 in an inflow region and / or a flow region of an internal region of a treatment plant has been described, such a device can also be used separately from the inflow and flow region of a treatment plant, to move the liquid, for example, for an improved exchange of material, as described in more detail with reference to Figures 11 to 17.

With the different devices described in more detail with reference to Figures 11 to 17, it is possible to treat not only flat surfaces of the material to be treated, but also advantageously blind holes or direct holes. The devices described with reference to Figures 11 to 17 can be used in a treatment plant in combination with, or instead of, flow nozzles. If the devices are used instead of flow nozzles, by means of a suitable mechanism the treatment liquid is transported to the interior of the treatment plant.

Figure 11 is a partially sectional side view of a treatment portion 251 of a treatment plant. The portion 251 has a pair of rollers 261, 262, a removal device 265 and a drive device 268. These elements can be used to promote the exchange of material on the surface of the material to be treated, for example, instead of the nozzles flow 206, 207 of the treatment station 200 of Figure 18.

The treatment station has an internal chute with a base 252. The treatment liquid has an operating level 253 with a height 254 in a region of the treatment station. Operating level 253 is set so that the material to be treaty 10 is covered nearby

61/78 of rollers 261, 262 through the treatment liquid.

The rollers 261, 2 62 are designed so that in any case they are separated from the useful region of the material to be treated 10, which extends between portions of opposite edges. The roller 261 is fixed above the transport plane of the material to be treated. The roller 262 is fixed below the transport plane of the material to be treated. The treatment liquid comes in contact with the opposite edges of the roller

261 in the transport direction, up to operating level 253. Roller 262 is arranged completely below level 253.

The rollers 261, 262 can be designed so that they are separated from the entire material to be treated 10, when the material to be treated 10 is moved past rollers 261, 262. Particularly, rollers 261, 262 can be designed so that they do not cooperate during the transport of the material to be treated 10. Rollers 261,

262 can have a cylindrical surface 258 and / or 259. A gap 8 between the roller 261 and the material to be treated 10 with a clearance height 9 extends continuously between the edge regions and the material to be treated 10 in one direction the width. An additional gap between the roller 262 and the material to be treated 10 extends continuously between the edge regions of the material to be treated 10 in the latitudinal direction.

The rollers 261, 262 are pivotally driven by the drive device 268. The drive device may comprise a driver, for example, a motor, and components suitable for transmitting torque from the driver to the rollers 261, 262. The drive device drive 268 for rollers 261, 262 can comprise

62/78 components which at the same time are components of the drive devices for other elements, for example, for transport rollers.

The drive device 268 drives the roller 261 so that the roller surface 258 has a circumferential speed with a value of 1. Along line 263, which represents the limit of the gap formed by the roller surface between the roller 261 and the material to be treated 10, the speed vector 264 of the circumferential speed is oriented in the opposite direction to the transport speed vT of the material to be treated. The roller surface of the roller 261 and the material to be treated 10 move at the edges of the gap 8 with relative speed. The exchange of material on the surface of the material to be treated 10 facing the roller 261 can thus be effectively promoted. The drive device 23 8 drives the roller 262 so that the roller has a circumferential speed with a value of v2.

Roller 261 and roller 262 are driven by drive device 268 so that they rotate in the same direction. In particular, the roller 262 arranged below the transport plane can be driven so that the surface of the roller along the line on which the roller 262 is separated from the material to be treated 10 by the clearance height, moves in the direction of the speed of vT transport of the material to be treated 10.

A removal device 265 is provided to remove the treatment liquid from the roller 261. A spacing 266 between the removal device 265 and the roller 261 can be adjustable. In this way the amount of treatment liquid retained by the removal device 265 can be

63/78 adjusted. The model and mode of operation of the removal device 265 correspond to the model and mode of operation disclosed for the removal device 235. In particular, the removal device can be adjusted so that the roller 61 is completely surrounded by a film of the treatment liquid.

Figure 12 is a partially sectional side view of a treatment portion 271 of a treatment plant. The portion 271 has a pair of rollers 261, 262, a removal device 265, and a drive device 278. These elements can be used to promote the exchange of material on the surface of the material to be treated, for example, instead of flow nozzles 206, 207 of the treatment plant 200 of Figure 18. Elements and devices that correspond in their models and / or functions to the elements and / or devices of portion 251 and have been described with reference to Figure 11, are denoted by the same numerals reference as shown in Figure 11.

The drive device 278 drives the rollers 261, 262 so that they rotate in the same direction. Along the line 263, in which the roller 261 is separated from the useful region of the material to be treated 10 by the clearance height 9, the roller surface of the roller 261 moves at a speed 274, which is oriented in the direction of transport of the material to be treated 10. The circumferential velocity value vl can be adjusted so that it differs from the transport velocity value vT. Along line 275, in which roller 262 is separated by the clearance height of the gap between roller 262 and the material to be treated 10 from the useful region of the material to be treated 10, the

64/78 roller surface of roller 262 moves at a speed

276 which is contrary to the transport of the material to be treated 10.

This takes a relative speed between the roll surface of the roll 262 material to be treated in the gap.

In additional embodiments, the drive device may be provided above the below the plane to be designed in a transport mode plane that the roll is

261 rotated roll

262 provided in opposite directions, as will be described with reference to Figures and 14.

Figure 13 is a partially sectional side view of a treatment portion 281 of a treatment plant. The portion 281 has a pair of rollers 2 61, 2 62, a removal device 265 and a drive device 288. These elements can be used to promote the exchange of material on the surface of the material to be treated, for example, instead flow nozzles 206, 207 of the treatment station 200 of Figure 18 or in combination with the flow nozzles. Elements and devices that correspond in their models and / or functions to the elements and / or devices of portion 251 or portion 271 and were described with reference to Figure 11 or Figure 12, are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 11 or in Figure 12.

drive device 288 drives rollers 261, 263 so that they rotate in opposite directions. Along the line 263 in which the roller 261 is separated from the useful region of the material to be treated 10 by the clearance height 9, the roller surface of the roller 261 moves at a speed

Μ

-Ά

65/78

284 which is oriented against the transport direction of the material to be treated 10. Along line 275 in which the roller 262 is separated from the useful region of the material to be treated 10 by the height of the gap between the roller 262 and the material to be treated, the roller surface of the roller 262 moves at a speed 286 that is oriented against the direction of transport of the material to be treated 10. As a result, the gap that remains between the useful region of the material to be treated 10 and the roller 261, and in the additional clearance that remains between the useful region of the material to be treated 10 and the roller 262, a relative speed is produced between the material to be treated and the roller 261 and / or 262 defining the clearance. The exchange of material can be effectively promoted on both sides of the material to be treated.

Figure 14 is a partially sectional side view of a treatment portion 291 of a treatment plant. The portion 291 has a pair of rollers 261, 262, a removal device 265 and a drive device 298. These elements can be used to promote the exchange of material on the surface of the material to be treated, for example, instead of the nozzles flow 206, 207 of the station!

treatment 20 of Figure 18 or in combination with the flow nozzles of a treatment plant. Elements and devices which in their models and / or functions | correspond to the elements and / or devices of the 251 'or 271 portion, and have been described with reference to the Figure. .I or Figure 12, are denoted by the same numerals of s

reference as in Figure 11 or Figure 12.

drive device 298 drives rollers 261,

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262, so that they rotate in opposite directions. Along the line 263 in which the roller 261 is separated from the useful region of the material to be treated 10 by the clearance height 9, the roller surface of the roller 261 moves at a speed 294 which is oriented in the direction of transport of the material to be be treated 10. Along the line 275 in which the roller 262 is separated from the useful region of the material to be treated 10 by the height of the gap between the roller 262 and the material to be treated, the roller surface of the roller 262 is it moves at a speed 296 which is also oriented in the direction of transport of the material to be treated 10.

The speed value 294 corresponds to the circumferential speed vl of the roller 261. The value of speed 296 corresponds to the circumferential speed v2 of the roller 262. At least one of the circumferential speeds vl and v2 is different from the value of the transport speed vT of the material to be treated 10. As a result, a relative speed is produced between the corresponding roll and the material to be treated.

In additional embodiments, only one roll can be provided as a treatment member. The roller can be provided above the transport plane or below the transport plane. The treatment members in the form of a roller, which do not have counter rollers on the other side of the transport plane, can be used particularly for treating straight holes or blind holes.

Figure 15 is a partially sectional side view of a treatment portion 301 of a treatment plant. Treatment portion 301 has a roller 302, a removal device 265 and a drive device

67/78

308. These elements can be used to promote the exchange of material on the surface of the material to be treated, for example, instead of the flow nozzles 206, 207 of the treatment station 200 of Figure 18 or in combination with the flow nozzles a treatment plant. Elements and devices that correspond in their models and / or functions with the elements and / or devices of the 251 or 271 portion and were described with reference to Figure 11 or Figure 12, are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 11 or in Figure 12.

The roller 302 is provided above the transport plane and forms a gap that extends over the entire useful region of the material to be treated 10 between the surface of the roller 302 and the material to be treated 10. The treatment liquid comes into contact with both sides of the roller 022 to an operating level 253. The drive device 308 rotates the roller 302. Along the line 303 in which the roller 302 is separated from the useful region of the material to be treated 10 by the clearance height 9, the roller surface of the roller 302 moves at a speed 304 which is oriented in the direction of transport of the material to be treated 10. The speed value 304 corresponds to the circumferential speed vl of the roller 302. The value of the circumferential speed vl is different from the transport speed vT of the material to be treated 10. As a result, a relative speed is produced between the roller 302 and the material to be treated 10 at the edges of the gap 8.

Figure 16 is a partially sectional side view of a treatment portion 311 of a treatment plant. The portion 311 has a roller 312 and a device

68/78 of drive 318. These elements can be used to promote the exchange of material on the surface of the material to be treated, for example, instead of the flow nozzles 2 06, 207 of the treatment station 200 of Figure 18 or in combination with the flow nozzles of a

treatment. Elements and devices the which are in their models and / or functions correspond to models and / or portion devices 251 or portion 271, and were described with reference to Figure 11 or Figure 12 , are denoted by the same numerals of reference and in

Figure 11 or Figure 12.

The roller 312 is provided below the transport plane and forms a gap that extends over the entire useful region of the material to be treated 10 between the surface of the roller 312 and the material to be treated 10. The roller 312 is completely surrounded by the liquid of treatment. The drive device 318 rotates the roller 312. Along the line 313 in which the roller 312 is separated from the useful region of the material to be treated 10 by the clearance height 19, the roller surface of the roller 312 moves at a speed 314 which is oriented in the direction of transport of the material to be be treated 10. The speed value 314 corresponds to the circumferential speed v2 of the roll 312. The value of the circumferential speed v2 is different from the transport speed vT of the material to be treated 10. As a result, a relative speed between the roll 312 and the material to be treated 10 is produced at the edges of the gap 18.

In additional embodiments, roller 302 of portion 301 or roller 312 of portion 311 can also be driven

69/78 rotationally so that roller 302 and / or 312 along line 033 and / or 313 has a velocity vector oriented contrary to the direction of transport of the material to be treated 10. Particularly, such a model can be used with material to be treated with inherent high rigidity.

In additional embodiments, a pair of rollers offset in relation to each other in the direction of transport can be provided as treatment members. Such treatment members can, in particular, be used to treat direct punctures.

Figure 17 is a partially sectional side view of a treatment portion 321 of a treatment plant. The portion 291 has a pair of rollers 261, 262, a removal device 265 and a drive device 328. These elements can be used to promote the exchange of material on the surface of the material to be treated, for example, instead of the nozzles flow 206, 207 of the treatment plant 200 of Figure 18 or in combination with the flow nozzles of a treatment plant. Elements and devices which in their models and / or functions correspond to the elements and / or devices of portion 251 or portion 271 and have been described with reference to Figure 11 or Figure 12, are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 11 or in Figure 12.

The roller 261 provided above the transport plane and the roller 262 provided below the transport plane are arranged offset with respect to each other in the transport direction. As the arrangement of the rollers is not symmetrical inverted in relation to the transport plane, direct holes can be easily treated.

70/78

The drive device 328 drives the rollers 261,

262 so that they rotate in opposite directions. Along the line 263, in which the roller 261 is separated from the useful region of the material to be treated 10 by the clearance height 9, the roller surface of the roller 261 moves at a speed

324 which is oriented in the direction of transport of the material to be treated 10. Along line 275 in which the roller 262 is separated from the useful region of the material to be treated 10 by the height of the gap between the roller 262 and the material to be treated. being treated, the roller surface of the roller 262 moves at a speed 326 which is also oriented in the direction of transport of the material to be treated 10.

The speed value 324 corresponds to the circumferential speed vl of the roller 261. The value of speed 326 15 corresponds to the circumferential speed v2 of the roller 262. At least one of the circumferential speeds vl and v2 is different from the transport speed vT of the material to be used. treated 10. As a result, a relative speed between the corresponding roller and the material to be treated is produced 20 which promotes the exchange of material on the surface of the material to be treated.

In the devices described with reference to the figures, the value of the relative speed between the roller and the material to be treated in the clearance is in the range of 0.1 to 20 m / s, 25 particularly in the range of 0.2 to 10 m / s , particularly in the range of 0.5 to 5 m / s.

As described with reference to Figures 11 to 14 and

17, a pair of rollers which are provided on opposite sides of the transport plane can be used as a treatment member in a treatment plant of a plant assembly.

71/78 continuous treatment. In the modalities, the two rollers can be rotated in the same direction. In this case, particularly the roll arranged below the transport plane can be driven so that its circumferential speed along the line that is separated from the useful region of the material to be treated by the clearance height, is turned in the direction of transport. In additional modes, the two rollers can be rotated in opposite directions. The drive device can be configured so that optionally a rotation of the rollers in the same or opposite directions is produced.

In the different embodiments described with reference to Figures 11 to 14 and 17, the circumferential speed vl of the arranged roll above the transport plane and the circumferential speed v2 of the arranged roll below the transport plane are equal. In additional modalities, vl> v2, particularly vl >> v2, or vl <v2, particularly vl << v2. Particularly v2 can be equal to the value of the transport speed of the material to be treated, vT ± 20%.

In the various devices described with reference to Figures 9 to 17, the surface of the roller can be cylindrical in each case. The surfaces can be configured as cylindrical surfaces without openings. The surfaces can, in particular, be impermeable to the treatment liquid. The roll surfaces are advantageously cylindrical and extend over the entire useful region of the material to be treated, so that a gap is formed that extends continuously between the edge regions. In additional modalities, several partial elements in the

72/78 roll format can be combined to partially form a gap that extends over the useful region.

Several modifications of the modalities shown in the figures and described in detail can be implemented in additional modalities.

Although with reference to Figures 11 to 17, devices have been described in which a removal device is provided in the vicinity of a roller, which is provided above the transport plane, in additional embodiments a fixed element can also be provided in the vicinity of the roller provided below the transport plane. The fixed element can, for example, be configured as a strip. The strip influences the flow field in the vicinity of the roller. The strip can be adjusted in relation to the roll.

In all of the modalities described here, a roll and / or rollers can be designed as electrodes for electrolytic treatment. They can be configured, particularly, as inert anodes.

In all the embodiments described here, a roller and / or the rolls may have a surface that is smooth within treatment tolerances. In additional embodiments, the surface of the roll and / or the rollers can be textured.

In all of the embodiments described here, a roll and / or rollers can also be arranged so that the axis of the roll ends at an angle that is 90 ° different from the direction of transport.

Although in different modalities, retention surfaces have been described which extend in the latitudinal direction of the material to be treated at substantially the same height transversely to the

73/78 material to be treated, the clearance forming retention surface can also be configured so that the clearance cross section, particularly clearance height, changes in the latitudinal direction of the material to be treated. For example, the retaining surface in the latitudinal direction of the material to be treated can be concave, so that the gap formed is greater in the middle of the material to be treated than at the edges, depending on the position in the latitudinal direction of the material to be treated. .

Although different modalities can be used, particularly, in treatment assemblies in which the material to be treated is transported continuously and in a horizontal transport plane, modalities can also be used in assemblies in which the material to be treated is transported in a vertical transport plane. For example, a combination of a clearance forming retention surface and a flow device can also be used to accumulate liquid, when the material to be treated is transported on a vertical transport plane. One or more rollers, their axes facing in the vertical direction, can be used as a treatment member, when the material to be treated is transported in a vertical transport plane.

Although in the context of the modalities, the use of rollers that are separated from the entire useful region of the material to be treated has been described in an inflow region or in a flow region of a treatment plant or as a treatment member, in additional embodiments, a treatment station may have both at least one rotatingly driven roller and a treatment member, as described with reference to Figures 11-17, and at least one rotatingly driven roller in an inflow region or flow region, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 10.

The devices and methods according to the various modalities can, for example, be used in the production of circuit boards, such as printed circuit boards without their use being limited thereto.

List of Reference Numerals

1

5, 6

Device for removing treatment liquid

Retention surface

Additional roll

Embossed edge portion

7

Axis

Day off

Minimum clearance height

Material to be treated

Useful region

12

Edge Region

Additional retaining surface

15, 16

Embossed edge portion

Axis

Additional clearance

19

24

Minimum clearance height Transport direction Treatment liquid Liquid level Treatment liquid Liquid level

75/78

25, 26 Rotational direction 31 Device for to remove liquid in treatment 32 Flow device 33 Fluid flow 34 Treatment liquid 41 Runoff region 42 Treatment region 43, 44, 45 Device for to remove liquid in treatment 46 Base 47, 48 Barrier 51, 52 Roll 53, 55 Roll 54, 56 Flow device 57, 59 Roll 58, 60 Flow device 61 Opening 71, 72 Liquid level 73 Treatment liquid 74 Difference in levels 81 Runoff region 82 Treatment region 83 Device for to remove liquid in treatment 84- 86 Roll 91, 92 Liquid level 93 Treatment liquid 94 bomb 95 Liquid flow

76/78

96 97 101 Opening Difference in levels Device to remove treatment liquid in 5 102 Roll 103 Additional roll 104 Retention surface 105 Indented edge portion 106 Additional retaining surface 10 107 Indented edge portion 108, 109 Retention rail 111 Device to remove liquid in treatment 112, 113 Insert 15 114, 117 Lateral surface 115, 118 Day off 116, 119 Chamfer 131 Treatment station 132-135 Roll 20 136 Liquid level 141-148 Rotational direction 200 Treatment station 201 Inner container 202 External container 25 203 Material to be treated 204 Direction of transport í 206, 207 Flow nozzle 208 Treatment liquid 209 Level in external container is 30 210 bomb

77/78

211, 212, 214, 216 Pair of transport rollers 213, 215 Pair of pass rollers 221 Runoff region 222 Base 223, 225 Liquid level 224, 226 Height 227 Barrier 228, 229 Roller surface 231, 232 Roll 233 Line on the roller surface 234 velocity 235 Removal device 236 Flow device 237 Fluid flow 238 Drive device 241 Runoff region 248 Drive device 251 Treatment portion 252 Base 253 Operation level 254 Height 258, 259 Roller surface 261, 262 Roll 263 Line on the roller surface 264 velocity 265 Removal device 266 Spacing 268 Drive device 271 Treatment portion

78/78

274 velocity 275 Line on the roller surface 276 velocity 278 Drive device 281 Treatment portion 284, 286 velocity 288 Drive device 291 Treatment portion 294, 296 velocity 298 Drive device 301 Treatment portion 302 Roll 303 Line on the roller surface 304 velocity 308 Drive device 311 Treatment portion 312 Roll 313 Line on the roller surface 314 velocity 318 Drive device 321 Treatment portion 324, 326 velocity 328 Drive device

1/5

Claims (11)

1. Method for treating a flat material to be treated (10), which is transported through an assembly for the wet electrolytic or chemical treatment of the material to be treated (10), where in an assembly treatment plant, the material to be treated (10) being subjected to a treatment liquid (21) covering the material to be treated (10), in the treatment station, a roller ( 2, 3; 51, 52, 53, 55, 57, 59; 84, 85; 102, 103; 132 to 135; 231, 2 32; 2 61, 262; 302; 312) with a roller surface (4, 14; 104, 106; 228, 229; 258, 259) being arranged in such a way that the roller surface (4, 14; 104, 106; 228, 229; 258, 259 ) is separated at least from a useful region (11) of the material to be treated (10) that extends continuously between the edge regions (12) of the material to be treated (10) so that a gap (8, 18) remains between the roller surface (4, 14; 104, 106; 228, 229; 258, 259) and the useful region of the material to be treated (10), the roller (2, 3; 51, 52, 53 , 55, 57, 59; 84, 85; 102, 103; 132 to 135; 231, 232; 261, 262; 302; 312) being rotated so that at the clearance (8, 18), a relative speed is produced between the roller surface (4, 14; 104, 106; 228, 229; 258, 259) and a surface of the material to be treated (10), the method CHARACTERIZED by the fact that: the treatment liquid (21) is accumulated to the operating level (253) in a treatment region of the treatment plant, and the roller surface (4, 14; 104, 106; 228, 229; 258, Petition 870190031498, from April 1, 2019, p. 9/18 259) is arranged at least partially at the net of treatment (21), O which is accumulated until The level of operation (253). 2. Method, according to the claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY fact that the roller (2, 3; 51, 52, 53, 55, 57, 59; 84, 85 ; 102, 103; 132 a 135; 231 , 232; 261, 262; 302; 312) is triggered so what an velocity circumferential (v1 , v2) from the surface in roll is different in module of a transport speed (vT) of material to be treated (10 ), particularly is bigger than the transport speed (vT). 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the treatment liquid is removed from the roller (231; 261; 302) by a removal device (235; 265). 4. Method according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the removal device (235; 265) is adjusted to establish an amount of treatment liquid that is removed from the roller (231; 261; 302). Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, CHARACTERIZED in that the roller (261, 262; 302; 312) is provided as a treatment member in the treatment plant. 6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the treatment liquid (21) comes in contact with the opposite sides of the roller (261; 302) in the direction of transport to an operating level (253) of the treatment plant, or the roller (262; 312) is arranged completely below the level of Petition 870190031498, from April 1, 2019, p. 10/18 3/5 operation (253) of the treatment plant. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that an additional roller (3; 52, 55, 59; 85; 103; 133, 135; 232; 262) having an additional roller surface (14) is positioned in the treatment station so that an additional gap (18) remains between the useful region (11) of the material to be treated (10) and the additional roller surface (14), the roller (2; 51 , 53, 57; 84; 102; 132, 134; 231; 261) and the additional roller (3; 52, 55, 59; 85; 103; 133, 135; 232; 262) being positioned on opposite sides of a plane transport of the material to be treated (10). 8. Treatment plant to treat a flat material to be treated (10) for an assembly for the electrolytic or wet chemical treatment of the material to be treated (10), the treatment plant being designed so that a treatment liquid ( 21) covers the material (10) to be treated during operation, The station of treatment understanding one roll (2, 3 ; 51, 52, 53, 55, 57, 59; 84, 85; 102, 103; 132 to 135; 231, 232; 261, 262; 302; 312) by having an roller surface (4, 14; 104, 106; 228, 229; 258, 259) that is arranged from so that The roller surface (4, 14; 104, 106; 228, 229; 258, 259 ) is separated from by any less an useful region (11) of the material to be treated (10) that extends continuously between the edge regions (12) of the material to be treated (10) so that between the roller surface (4, 14; 104, 106; 228, 229; 258, 259) and the useful region (11) of the material to be treated (10) remains a gap (8, 18), Petition 870190031498, from April 1, 2019, p. 11/18 4/5 a drive device (238; 248; 268; 278; 288; 298; 308; 318; 328) which is designed to drive the roller (2, 3; 51, 52, 53, 55, 57, 59; 84, 85; 102, 103; 132 to 135; 231, 232; 261, 263; 302; 312) rotating in such a way that the clearance (8, 18) results in a relative speed between the roller surface (4, 14; 104, 106; 228, 229; 258, 259) and the surface of the material to be treated (10 ), the treatment plant CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the treatment liquid (21) being accumulated to an operating level (253) in a treatment region of the treatment plant, and the roller surface (4, 14; 104, 106; 228, 229; 258, 259) is arranged to least partially in liquid in treatment, which is accumulated to the level of operation (253). 9. Season in treatment according to The claim 8, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises an additional roller (3; 52, 55, 59; 85; 103; 133, 135; 232; 263) with an additional roll surface (14) which is positioned in such a way that an additional gap (18) remains between the useful region (11) of the material to be treated (10) and the additional roll surface (14), the roll (2; 51, 53, 57; 84; 102; 132, 134; 231; 261) and the additional roll (3; 52, 55, 59; 85; 103; 133, 135; 232; 262) being arranged on opposite sides of a transport plane for the material to be treated (10). 10. Treatment plant, according to claim 8 or 9, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it is designed to carry out the method as defined in any of claims 1 to 7. Petition 870190031498, from April 1, 2019, p. 12/18 5/5 11. Assembly for treating a flat material to be treated (10), CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises the treatment plant (221; 241; 251; 271; 281; 291; 301; 311) as defined in any one of claims 8 5 to 10. 12. Method for producing a circuit board, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises the treatment of a material to be treated (10) to produce the circuit board using the method as defined in Any one of claims 1 to 7.