Introducing and removing a metal strip into and from a treatment chamber

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock device (20) for introducing a metal strip (100) into a treatment chamber (10) or for removing the metal strip (100) from the treatment chamber (10), wherein the lock device (20) has: a housing (21) which defines an interior of the lock device (20); a roller (22) which is arranged in the housing (21) and around which the metal strip (100) is partially wrapped such that the metal strip (100) is in contact with the roller (22) along a contact region (B) in the circumferential direction of the roller (22), wherein the contact region (B) has end sections (b1, b2); a sealing arrangement (30) having a seal (32) which is in contact with the metal strip (100) and the roller (22) such that it defines two atmospheric zones (a1, a2) in the interior of the housing (21), which atmospheric zones are preferably zones of different pressure; wherein the seal (32) has a strip-side seal (32a) which extends in the axial direction of the roller (22) and, within the contact region (B), enters into substantially linear contact with the metal strip (100) on the side facing away from the roller (100) such that at least the end sections (b1, b2) of the contact region (B) are contact-free with respect to the seal (32).

Description

[0001] Feeding and unfeeding a metal strip into and out of a

[0002] Treatment chamber

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The invention relates to a sluice device for introducing a metal strip into a treatment chamber or for removing the metal strip from the treatment chamber, as well as a device for treating a metal strip.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] The treatment of metal strips made of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, etc., such as coating them with a metallic or non-metallic material, may require a treatment chamber with a well-defined atmosphere, for example, a gas atmosphere of a specific composition and / or an overpressure or underpressure relative to the surrounding environment. For this purpose, the metal strip to be treated must be continuously fed into and out of the treatment chamber to create defined treatment conditions. In processes with underpressure in the treatment chamber, contamination of the treatment chamber can occur due to leakage (vacuum cleaner effect).

[0007] Various types of airlocks are known, including, for example, pure gas airlocks, in which the metal belt is guided through a sealing plane from one pressure stage to another. The pressure stages are adjusted by appropriate pumps. The sealing planes can exhibit leakage due to various effects, which must be kept as small as possible to minimize the leakage flow rate and thus the power requirement on the pumps. The sealing planes can be in

[0008] Page 1. The form of squeeze rollers, sealing lips, brushes, and the like can be implemented. Furthermore, mechanical adjustment elements are known to adapt the sealing elements to the belt geometry.

[0009] Siphon locks represent another type of lock in which pressure zones are separated by a liquid and the pressure difference is created by the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid, with the liquid simultaneously performing a sealing function.

[0010] US Patent 6,334,751 B1 describes a sealing airlock for introducing a metal strip into and continuously moving it through a vacuum chamber. The airlock comprises alternating rollers that guide the metal strip. The rollers, in contact with the metal strip, form a sealing line. With strips narrower than the rollers, a gap forms, which is detrimental to the sealing function. The pressure in the pressure stage is adjusted using vacuum pumps.

[0011] US Patent 3,040,702 A describes a device for vacuum coating a metallic or non-metallic, ribbon-shaped substrate. The device has a housing with several vacuum chambers through which the substrate is continuously transported. The seal between two adjacent vacuum chambers is achieved by means of a roller around which the substrate is partially wrapped and bristles on the other side of the substrate, which fill the gap between the substrate and a wall separating the adjacent vacuum chambers and act as a throttle.

[0012] In gas locks, pressure changes can occur due to throttling in the gaps of the seal(s). When using pinch rollers, a so-called gusset forms directly at the belt edges, representing a significant leakage potential. Furthermore, other issues can arise with this type of lock.

[0013] Page 2: Leaks occur in the area of ​​the rear seal and the side seal. The problems are exacerbated with thick substrates.

[0014] Seals generally generate heat due to deformation, such as the flexing action of squeeze rollers. A seal made of a continuously bonded material, like a conventional lip seal, offers only limited adaptability to the belt or roller geometry. Contact seals typically experience friction. Depending on the design, this can lead to changes in belt tension in the transport direction. Pure gap seals place high demands on gap accuracy and its maintenance during operation. This cannot be guaranteed for all substrates or would require significantly higher pumping capacity.

[0015] Controlled belt cooling or heating usually requires special / additional equipment.

[0016] Metal strips are known for flatness defects, such as bulges, waves, or transverse arches. These pose a particular problem for thicker and stronger strips, affecting sealing and stress on the sealing elements. Additionally, some metal strips develop transverse arches due to the deflections around rollers required for strip transport. These arches sometimes originate in upstream processing stages.

[0017] Description of the invention

[0018] In view of the technical problems outlined above, one object of the present invention is to improve the insertion of a metal strip into a treatment chamber and / or the removal of the metal strip from the treatment chamber, in particular to improve the efficiency of the insertion and removal with low leakage.

[0019] Page 3 The problem is solved by a lock device with the features of claim 1 and a device for treating a metal strip with the features of claim 11. Advantageous further developments follow from the dependent claims, the following description of the invention and the description of preferred embodiments.

[0020] The airlock is used to introduce a metal strip into a treatment chamber or to remove the metal strip from the treatment chamber. The airlock can be located directly upstream or downstream of the treatment chamber, or several airlocks can be installed in series to achieve a stepwise adjustment of the atmosphere, particularly the pressure, to the process atmosphere in the treatment chamber. It is also possible to install airlocks between individual treatment steps to allow for the setting of different treatment conditions (e.g., pressure, gas atmosphere).

[0021] The metal belt is, for example, a belt made of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or another metallic material. During the loading and unloading processes and the treatment in the treatment chamber, the metal belt is continuously transported along a conveyor direction.

[0022] The locking device comprises a housing that defines an interior space of the locking device, and at least one roller arranged in the housing, which is partially encircled by the metal strip such that the metal strip is in contact with the roller along a contact area in the circumferential direction of the roller. The contact area thus defines a planar contact, so that purely tangential contact (line contact) with the metal strip is excluded. The contact area is bounded circumferentially by end sections; that is, at an end section, the metal strip comes into contact with

[0023] Side 4 of the roller is in contact, and at the other end section the metal band releases contact with the roller.

[0024] The airlock device further comprises a sealing arrangement with a seal that is in contact with the metal strip and the roller in such a way that it defines two atmospheric zones inside the housing, which are preferably zones of different pressure. Except for any minimal leakage, no gas exchange takes place between the two atmospheric or pressure zones, so that the metal strip is thus transferred from one atmospheric zone to another.

[0025] The seal features a band-side seal that extends axially along the roller and establishes substantially linear contact with the metal strip on the side facing away from the roller within the contact area, such that at least the end sections of the contact area are free of contact with the seal. "Substantially linear" means that the contact between the band-side seal and the metal strip may have a certain width along the length of the strip, for example, through the use of brushes, but is small compared to the extent of the contact area and, in particular, leaves the end sections free of contact.

[0026] Preferably, the wrapping angle of the metal band, which defines the extent of the contact area, lies in the range of 5 to 225 degrees.

[0027] By wrapping the metal strip around the roller along the extended contact area, and with the strip-side seal essentially only making line contact with the metal strip, an advantageous sealing contour of the metal strip is achieved. As a rule, the transverse arcs described in the introduction are completely suppressed by the longitudinal bending of the metal strip. The negative effects of flatness defects on the sealing performance are significantly reduced.

[0028] Page 5. Negative effects of friction on the belt tension caused by the sealing line can be compensated for depending on the selected wrap angle and any auxiliary drive used. Active control of the tension level is also possible.

[0029] Preferably, in addition to the belt-side seal, the seal comprises a rear seal spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the roller from the belt-side seal, which is in contact with the roller, but preferably not with the metal belt, and extends in the axial direction of the roller, as well as two circumferential seals spaced apart in the axial direction of the roller, which are in contact with the roller outside the belt width and extend in the circumferential direction of the roller.

[0030] The sealing arrangement required to implement the lock function does not necessitate high contact pressure. Low contact pressure on the opposing surfaces, which can be either the metal belt itself or the roller, combined with optimal adaptability to variable belt dimensions, is sufficient to achieve low leakage and a long service life.

[0031] Outside the substrate (for example, in the case of narrow belts), the seal acts directly against the roller shell. The sealing of the belt-conveying parts (roll) is preferably achieved with a completely closed sealing line to ensure reliable atmospheric separation. In this case, the rear of the belt is also sealed with a back seal. Additional sealing lines, for example against the end face of the roller, are also possible. The sealing elements or sealing lines are preferably continuous or essentially seamless.

[0032] Good adaptability to variable geometric band dimensions can also be achieved by having the seal have one or more sealing lips, preferably made of an elastomer, and / or one or more

[0033] Page 6 includes brushes and / or one or more sealing rollers, which preferably have a soft coating.

[0034] Preferably, the lock device includes at least one atmosphere device configured to adjust and maintain the atmosphere in the atmospheric zones, comprising the chemical composition and / or pressure.

[0035] Preferably, the atmospheric device comprises a vacuum pump for evacuating the interior of the housing or the corresponding chamber (atmospheric zone) if a negative pressure relative to the environment is to be generated. In particular, the atmospheric device can generate different pressure levels in the chambers. The airlock devices can thus be arranged multiple times in series to gradually reach the atmospheric pressure or the process pressure and to gradually remove the treated material from the process.

[0036] Preferably, the roller incorporates a temperature control device designed to regulate the temperature of the metal strip. The partial wrapping of the metal strip around the roller creates a contact area that can be used for temperature control, i.e., heating or cooling. Sufficiently uniform heat transfer between the roller and the metal strip occurs through this contact area. This allows the metal strip to be heated or cooled uniformly across its width. The heating or cooling rate can be influenced by the angle of the roller and / or its temperature.

[0037] The temperature control device can be implemented in various ways, so that the roller temperature can be adjusted accordingly by a suitable method, for example by a temperature-controlled fluid or an electric jacket heater.

[0038] Page 7 Preferably, the locking device has an auxiliary drive, comprising, for example, an electric motor, wherein the auxiliary drive is connected to the roller and configured to actively influence the tension of the metal strip. The possible change in strip tension depends on the drive torque of the roller, the frictional conditions between the roller and the metal strip, and the applied strip tension. A sealing roller or counter roller can also be used to increase the tension. In this case, the sealing roller or counter roller can be driven additionally or independently.

[0039] Such belt tension control can be used to counteract any forming work that occurs during plastic deformation of the metal belt, for example, due to bending around the roller. This is particularly relevant for thick and / or soft metal belts. The forming work causes an increase in belt tension in the transport direction and can be compensated for by auxiliary drives if necessary.

[0040] In addition, a desired change in belt tension can also occur if, for example, decoupling of different belt tension levels before and / or after the lock section is sought by means of the roller and a possible sealing or counter roller.

[0041] Preferably, the housing has a slot-shaped inlet through which the metal strip can be transported into the housing, and a slot-shaped outlet through which the metal strip can be transported out of the housing. The gate device thus forms an independent component that can be flexibly used in different processing lines.

[0042] Preferably, the airlock device is modular in design, so that it can be flexibly used in different processing lines and, in particular, several airlock devices can be combined.

[0043] Page 8 shows that several atmospheric levels can be generated in a cascade-like fashion, through which the metal belt can be transported.

[0044] Preferably, the roller has a convex shape for self-centering of the metal strip, ensuring that the metal strip is always held in the optimal position relative to the sealing assembly. "Convex" in this context means that the central diameter of the roller is larger than the diameter at the edges, viewed in the axial direction. This includes soft, round cross-sectional shapes as well as trapezoidal and polygonal shapes.

[0045] To adapt the seal to a potentially convex shape of the roll, especially if the seal is implemented using one or more brushes, the seal or brush length can compensate for the convex shape. In this case, the seal or brush receptacle does not mirror the contour of the convex shape. Alternatively, the seal or brush can be structurally adapted to the convex shape within the receptacle. In this case, the seal or brush length is equal to the width, meaning the seal or brush receptacle mirrors the contour of the convex shape.

[0046] Preferably, the roller and / or any sealing or counter-roller has a soft coating to reduce the sealing gap outside the metal strip by embedding it. The roller coating undergoes flexing and thus heats up, which can be counteracted by active cooling using the roller's temperature control device.

[0047] The aforementioned problem is further solved by a device for treating a metal strip, which can be continuously transported through the device along a conveying direction for treatment. The device comprises: a treatment chamber containing an atmosphere suitable for treating the metal strip, which differs from the external environment in terms of composition and / or pressure, and is configured to treat the metal strip.

[0048] to be subjected to treatment on page 9; at least one airlock device according to one of the embodiments set out above, which is positioned upstream of the treatment chamber in the direction of conveyance and is set up to seal the treatment chamber against the external environment and to introduce the metal strip into the treatment chamber; and / or at least one further airlock device according to one of the embodiments set out above, which is positioned downstream of the treatment chamber in the direction of conveyance and is set up to seal the treatment chamber against the external environment and to eject the metal strip from the treatment chamber.

[0049] The features, technical effects, advantages and embodiments described in relation to the lock device apply analogously to the device for treating the metal strip.

[0050] For the reasons mentioned above, several airlock devices are preferably located upstream of the treatment chamber. Alternatively or additionally, several airlock devices are preferably located downstream of the treatment chamber.

[0051] Preferably, the treatment chamber is configured to subject the metal strip to vacuum coating. Suitable coatings include, for example, metallic coatings (zinc and zinc alloys > 80% Zn, copper, magnesium, etc.) or coatings with semi-metals or non-metals (graphite, graphene, etc.). Coatings can be applied in multiple layers using the same coating material with different structures or using different coating materials.

[0052] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. The features described therein can be used alone or in combination with a

[0053] Page 10 or several of the features outlined above can be implemented, provided the features do not contradict each other. The following description of preferred embodiments is given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0054] Brief description of the characters

[0055] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. These show:

[0056] Figure 1 schematically shows a device for treating a metal strip, comprising a treatment chamber and several sluice devices;

[0057] Figure 2 schematically shows a side cross-section of a lock device;

[0058] Figure 3 shows a cutaway perspective view of a lock device;

[0059] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the interior of a lock device without a roller; and

[0060] Figure 5 shows a perspective partial view of a lock device to illustrate the interaction between the sealing arrangement, roller and metal band.

[0061] Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0062] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements in the figures are designated with identical reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these elements are sometimes omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0063] Page 11 Figure 1 schematically shows a device 1 for treating a metal strip 100. The metal strip 100 is a strip made of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or another metallic material. The metal strips 100 to be processed here have, for example, a modulus of elasticity in the range of 50 GPa and 220 GPa, a yield strength in the range of 80 MPa and 1,900 MPa, a tensile strength in the range of 100 MPa and 2,200 MPa, a strip thickness in the range of 0.05 mm and 10 mm, and / or a strip width in the range of 200 mm and 2,600 mm.

[0064] The device 1 has a treatment chamber 10 configured to process the metal strip 100, for example, by vacuum coating (PVD). For this purpose, the metal strip 100 is continuously transported through the treatment chamber 10 along a conveying direction F and treated accordingly. The treatment chamber 10 contains an atmosphere suitable for processing, which differs from the external environment in terms of composition and / or pressure. A vacuum is particularly preferred in the treatment chamber 10.

[0065] The strip speed is, for example, in the range of 1 m / min to 500 m / min. The strip tension is, for example, above 2 MPa and is a maximum of 80% of the yield strength (Rp). The strip temperature must be limited depending on the material. For fully martensitic steels, the maximum temperature is preferably below 350°C.

[0066] If a coating of the metal strip 100 takes place in the treatment chamber 10, then, for example, metallic coatings (zinc and zinc alloys > 80% Zn, copper, magnesium, chromium, nickel, etc.) or coatings with semi-metals or non-metals (graphite, graphene, etc.) are used.

[0067] Page 12. Coatings can be applied in multiple layers using the same coating material with different structures or using different coating materials. The coating thickness is, for example, less than 30 µm per side.

[0068] Upstream and downstream of the treatment chamber 10 are one or more airlock devices 20, which are designed to introduce the metal strip 100 into and out of the treatment chamber 10 without contaminating the atmosphere of the treatment chamber with the external environment. The airlock devices 20 thus form a seal for the treatment chamber 10 relative to the external environment and simultaneously allow the continuous transport of the metal strip 100 through the treatment chamber 10.

[0069] The airlock devices 20 are modular in design, allowing several airlock devices 20 to be flexibly combined as needed. The airlock devices 20 and the treatment chamber 10 can be connected to an atmosphere device 50, or each to an atmosphere device 50, which is configured to set the desired atmosphere, i.e., the chemical composition and / or pressure, in the respective chamber 10, 20. Preferably, the atmosphere device 50 includes a vacuum pump for evacuating the corresponding chamber 10, 20, if a negative pressure relative to the environment is to be generated in the treatment chamber 10 and / or the airlock devices 20. In particular, different pressure levels can be generated in the chambers 10, 20 by the atmosphere device 50. The airlock devices 20 can thus be arranged multiple times in series to gradually adjust the atmosphere or pressure.to reach the process pressure and to gradually remove the product from the process after treatment.

[0070] Page 13 Figure 2 schematically shows a cross-section of a lock device 20. Figure 3 shows the lock device 20 in a sectional perspective view.

[0071] The airlock device 20 has a housing 21 that defines an interior space of the airlock device 20 with two atmospheric zones a1, a2. The atmospheric zones a1, a2 are preferably pressure zones, i.e., zones of different pressure. However, the atmosphere in the atmospheric zones a1, a2 may alternatively or additionally differ in its gas composition.

[0072] The case 21 has a slot-shaped inlet 21a through which the metal band 100 is transported into the case, and a slot-shaped outlet 21b through which the metal band 100 is transported out of the case 21.

[0073] The gate device 20 has a roller 22 inside the housing 21, which is at least partially encircled by the metal strip 100. "Partially encircled" in this context means, in particular, with a strip deflection angle of at least 5 degrees. The metal strip 100 thus undergoes a change of direction due to the roller 22. In other words, the metal strip 100 is in contact with the roller 22 along a contact area B (see Figure 2) in the circumferential direction of the roller 22. The contact area B defines a planar contact, so that a purely tangential contact is excluded. The contact area B is bounded circumferentially by end sections b1 and b2; that is, the metal strip 100 comes into contact with the roller 22 at end section b1, and the metal strip 100 releases the contact from the roller 22 at end section b2.

[0074] By using several lock devices 20, an alternating wrapping side or a deflection on only one side is possible.

[0075] Page 14 Preferably, the wrap angle of the metal strip 100 around the roller 22 lies in the range of 5 to 225 degrees. The strip bending radius must reach the value radius-roller + V2 strip thickness at least at one point, i.e., the metal strip 100 lies completely against the roller 22 in this area in the direction of travel. Such a strip bend achieves an energetically favorable situation with regard to flatness defects in the transverse direction; typical flatness defects are greatly minimized or suppressed.

[0076] The roller 22 preferably has a convex shape for self-centering of the metal strip 100 in the area of ​​the maximum roller diameter.

[0077] On the opposite side of the deflection of the metal strip 100 by the roller 22, a sealing lip, brush, or sealing roller can be arranged as a sealing element. The present embodiment uses a sealing arrangement 30, which is particularly evident from the perspective view in Figure 4, in which the roller 22 has been omitted for clarity. Figure 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating the interaction between the sealing arrangement 30, the roller 22, and the metal strip 100.

[0078] The sealing arrangement 30 comprises a support 31 and a seal 32, which is attached to the support 31. The seal 32 includes two seals 32a and 32b, which are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the roller 22 and extend in the axial direction of the roller 22. Seal 32a, also referred to herein as the "band-side seal," is in contact with the side of the metal strip 100 facing away from the roller 22 in the contact area 22 and, insofar as it extends beyond the strip width, with the roller 22. Seal 32b, also referred to herein as the "back seal," is in contact with the roller 22 at another point in the circumferential direction of the roller 22 and thus forms a seal to the roller 22. At the back seal 32b, the metal strip 100 is not in contact with the roller 22.

[0079] Page 15 The band-side seal 32a enters into a substantially linear contact with the metal band 100 within the contact area B, so that at least the end sections b1 , b2 of the contact area B are free of contact with respect to the seal 32.

[0080] The seal 32 further comprises two circumferential seals 32c, 32d spaced axially apart from the roller 22, which seal the roller 22 circumferentially outside the width of the roller. The circumferential seals 32c, 32d do not completely surround the roller 22, but only along the sector defined by the distance between the seals 32a, 32b. The axial distance between the circumferential seals 32c, 32d is greater than the width of the roller. The circumferential seals 32c, 32d each form the contour of a partial circle.

[0081] The sealing arrangement 30 thus constructed serves to seal the two atmospheric zones a1 , a2 or pressure zones, which are continuously traversed by the metal strip 100, and reduces the free flow cross-section to an area that can be economically controlled by the pump.

[0082] The seal 32 with its sections (axially extending seals 32a, 32b and circumferential seals 32c, 32d) forms a sealing contour which traces the outer surface of the roller 22 along the axial direction and along a partial circumference.

[0083] The seal 32 can be made of various materials and structures. For example, sealing lips made of an elastomer or brushes can be used. The seal 32 is particularly preferably constructed with brush elements which press against either the metal strip 100 and / or the roller 22. This means that the brush-like seal 32 can serve as a back-space seal and / or to seal the area with the metal strip 100. Brush seals have very high flexibility and adaptability to geometric deviations.

[0084] Page 16, especially in areas with geometric discontinuities, such as the band edge. Due to its high flexibility, a good sealing effect can be achieved even with low contact pressure, preventing wear and heating of the components involved.

[0085] The sealing arrangement 30 and the housing 21 are preferably designed such that the seal 32 can be removed and installed for quick replacement without cutting the metal strip 100.

[0086] Alternatively or additionally to a brush seal, a sealing roller can also be used. For strip thicknesses > 0.5 mm, the roller 22 and / or the sealing roller or counter roller should have a soft coating to reduce the sealing gap outside the metal strip 100 by embedding it. The roller coating experiences flexing and thus heating of the coating, which can be counteracted by active cooling of the roller 22 and / or the sealing roller to ensure the service life of the coating.

[0087] The partial wrapping of the metal strip 100 around the roller 22 creates a contact area B which can be used for temperature control of the metal strip 100, i.e., heating or cooling it. The roller 22 therefore preferably has a temperature control device 60 (see Figure 2) configured to temperature control the metal strip 100.

[0088] Sufficiently uniform heat transfer between roller 22 and metal strip 100 occurs via the contact area B, which is adjustable depending on the wrap angle. This allows the metal strip 100 to be cooled or heated uniformly across its width. The heating or cooling rate can be influenced by the angle range and / or the roller temperature. The angle range is determined during the design process.

[0089] Page 17 specifies. The roller temperature can be changed under operating conditions.

[0090] The temperature control device 60 can be implemented in various ways, so that the roller temperature can be adjusted accordingly by a suitable method, for example by a temperature-controlled fluid or an electric jacket heater.

[0091] When sealing with a sealing roller, any increase in temperature due to flexing in the soft coating should be taken into account and, if necessary, dissipated.

[0092] By partially wrapping the metal strip 100 around the roller 22, active tension control in the wrapping area is possible, either alternatively or additionally. For this purpose, the roller 22 preferably has an auxiliary drive 70 (see Figure 5), which can be implemented, in particular, by means of an electric motor. The possible change in strip tension depends on the drive torque of the roller 22, the frictional conditions between the roller 22 and the metal strip 100, and the applied strip tension. A sealing roller or counter roller can also be used to increase the tension effect. In this case, the sealing roller or counter roller can be driven additionally or independently.

[0093] Without active tension compensation, the friction or flexing caused by the seal leads to an increase in the conveyor belt tension in the direction of travel. This increase is most critical for thin or narrow belts. Here, it is particularly important to ensure a sufficient margin between the yield strength and the specific belt tension. Otherwise, undesirable effects on belt flatness can occur. To influence the belt tension, the auxiliary drive 70 can be used to compensate for the friction or flexing caused by the seal at the roller 22. Except for the direct sealing area of ​​the belt-contacting seal 32, the frictional torque is a belt-independent parameter. This component can be adjusted without

[0094] Page 18: The belt contact situation is compensated for directly at roller 22.

[0095] In addition to the reasons mentioned above for active tension control at roller 22, a desired change in belt tension can also occur, for example, when decoupling different belt tension levels before and after the lock section is desired by means of roller 22 and a possible sealing or counter roller. The belt tension levels are determined by external technological constraints. The auxiliary drive 70 at roller 22 can be used for this purpose.

[0096] By wrapping the metal strip 100 around the roller 22 along the extended contact area B, and by ensuring that the strip-side seal 32a essentially only makes line contact with the metal strip 100, an advantageous and essentially undisturbed sealing effect of the metal strip 100 is achieved. This is accomplished in this area by reducing any bulges or other flatness defects of the metal strip 100. This increases the tightness between the atmospheric zones a1 and a2 and reduces any leakage. Suppression is also achieved by a controlled bending of the metal strip 100. Furthermore, the wrapping and the resulting larger contact area allow for easier control of the strip temperature in the airlock device 20. The wrapping also optionally enables active control of the strip tension.

[0097] The sealing arrangement 30 required to implement the lock function does not require high contact pressure. Low contact pressure on the opposing surfaces, which can be either the metal strip 100 itself or the roller 22, as well as optimal adaptability to the variable geometric dimensions of the strip, are sufficient to achieve low leakage and a good service life.

[0098] Page 19 Where applicable, existing individual features shown in the exemplary embodiments can be combined and / or exchanged without leaving the scope of the invention.

[0099] Page 20 Reference List

[0100] 1 Device for treating a metal strip

[0101] 10 treatment chamber

[0102] 20 Lock device

[0103] 21 cases

[0104] 21a Admission

[0105] 21b Outlet

[0106] 22 rolls

[0107] 30 Sealing arrangement

[0108] 31 carriers

[0109] 32 Seal

[0110] 32a Band-side seal

[0111] 32b Rear seal

[0112] 32c Perimeter seal

[0113] 32d circumferential seal

[0114] 50 Atmospheric device

[0115] 60 Temperature control unit

[0116] 70 Auxiliary drive

[0117] 100 metal band

[0118] F Conveyor direction

[0119] B Contact area b1 End section of the contact area b2 End section of the contact area a1 Atmospheric zone a2 Atmospheric zone

[0120] Page 21

Claims

Patent claims 1. A sluice device (20) for introducing a metal strip (100) into a treatment chamber (10) or for ejecting the metal strip (100) from the treatment chamber (10), wherein the sluice device (20) comprises: a housing (21) defining an interior space of the sluice device (20); a roller (22) arranged in the housing (21) which is partially enclosed by the metal strip (100) such that the metal strip (100) is in contact with the roller (22) in the circumferential direction along a contact area (B), wherein the contact area (B) has end sections (b1, b2); a sealing arrangement (30) with a seal (32) which is in contact with the metal strip (100) and the roller (22) in such a way that it defines two atmospheric zones (a1, a2) inside the housing (21), which are preferably zones of different pressure;wherein the seal (32) has a band-side seal (32a) which extends in the axial direction of the roller (22) and enters into substantially line contact with the metal strip (100) on the side facing away from the roller (100) within the contact area (B), such that at least the end sections (b1 , b2) of the contact area (B) are non-contacting with respect to the seal (32).

2. Locking device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the seal (32) has, in addition to the belt-side seal (32a): a rear seal (32b) spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the roller (22) from the belt-side seal (32a), which is in contact with the roller (22). Page 22 stands and extends in the axial direction of the roller (22), as well as two circumferential seals (32c, 32d) spaced apart in the axial direction of the roller (22), which are in contact with the roller (22) outside the bandwidth and extend in the circumferential direction of the roller (22).

3. Lock device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seal (32) comprises one or more sealing lips, preferably made of an elastomer, and / or one or more brushes and / or one or more sealing rollers, which preferably have a soft coating.

4. Lock device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least one atmosphere device (50) which is configured to adjust and maintain the atmosphere in the atmosphere zones (a1 , a2), comprising the chemical composition and / or the pressure.

5. Locking device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roller (22) has a temperature control device (60) which is configured to temperature control the metal strip (100).

6. Locking device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an auxiliary drive (70), preferably comprising an electric motor, wherein the auxiliary drive (70) is connected to the roller (22) and is set up to actively influence the belt tension of the metal belt (100).

7. Locking device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (21) has a slot-shaped inlet (21a) through which the metal strip (100) can be transported into the housing (21). Page 23 is, and has a slotted outlet (21b) through which the metal band (100) can be transported out of the case (21).

8. Locking device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is modularly constructed, so that several locking devices (20) can be combined and thus several atmospheric stages can be generated in a cascade-like manner, through which the metal belt (100) can be transported.

9. Locking device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roller (22) has a convex shape for self-centering of the metal band (100).

10. Lock device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roller (22) has a soft coating.

11. Device (1) for treating a metal strip (100) which can be continuously transported through the device (1) for treatment along a conveying direction (F), wherein the device (1) comprises: a treatment chamber (10) containing an atmosphere suitable for treating the metal strip (100), which differs from the external environment in terms of composition and / or pressure, and is configured to subject the metal strip (100) to treatment; at least one airlock device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, which is positioned upstream of the treatment chamber (20) in the conveying direction (F) and is configured to seal the treatment chamber (10) against the external environment and to introduce the metal strip (100) into the treatment chamber (20); and / or Page 24 at least one further sluice device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, which is located downstream of the treatment chamber (20) in the conveying direction (F) and is arranged to seal the treatment chamber (10) against the external environment and to eject the metal belt (100) from the treatment chamber (20).

12. Device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that several lock devices (20) are located upstream of the treatment chamber (10) and / or several lock devices (20) are located downstream of the treatment chamber (10).

13. Device (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the treatment chamber (10) is configured to subject the metal strip (100) to a vacuum coating. Page 25

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