Method for coating containers, coating station, and coating system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for coating containers in a coating station (3) having at least one coating chamber comprising a container receptacle, wherein in a preliminary step a container to be coated is introduced into the container receptacle and held therein, wherein during an evacuation step an interior space of the container is evacuated via a primary evacuation port (12), wherein subsequently during a filling step the container is filled with a coating gas via a coating gas line (14), wherein the coating gas line (14) opens at a first end with a coating gas outlet into the interior space of the container. According to the invention, during the evacuation step, the coating gas line (14) is evacuated at least temporarily via a second end.

Description

[0001] and re je ws ki • h on ke

[0002] Patent and lawyers

[0003] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0004] Method for coating containers, coating station and coating system

[0005] Description:

[0006] The following invention relates to a method for coating containers, in particular containers made of plastic, in a coating station with a coating chamber having a container receptacle, wherein in a preliminary step a container to be coated is inserted into the container receptacle and held, wherein during an evacuation step an interior of the container is evacuated via a primary evacuation connection and wherein subsequently during a filling step the container is filled with a coating gas via a coating gas line, wherein the coating gas line opens at a first end into the interior of the container with a coating gas outlet.

[0007] In the beverage industry, and also for other liquid or pasty products, plastic containers, and especially plastic bottles, are commonly used. Bottles made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) are widely used, as they are characterized by good functional properties, including good recyclability.

[0008] Although PET already exhibits good barrier properties compared to many other plastics, there is a need to further improve these properties for sensitive products or particularly high quality requirements. One known method for this is to coat the container wall with an inner barrier layer. This can be achieved using thin layers of hydrocarbon compounds or thin quartz-glass-like layers, especially those based on SiOx. (See "Blow Molding of Plastic Bodies," second, updated edition 2022, Michael Thielen, Klaus Hartwig, Peter Gust, ISBN 978-3-446-45552-8, pages 211 to 213).

[0009] Patent and lawyers

[0010] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0011] 2

[0012] Corresponding devices and methods are also described in EP 3433395 B1, DE 10225609 A1 and WO 03 / 100120 A2.

[0013] The deposition of at least a thin layer is achieved through a plasma process, often employing different pressure levels. In particular, surface cleaning or activation may be required before the coating is applied. The production of multiple layers in consecutive steps is also possible. It should be noted that gases introduced as process fluids and / or air remaining despite pressure reduction can be activated by the plasma process, resulting in the formation of reactive gases or reactive gas components. These reactive components can include, in particular, oxygen, ozone, and oxygen ions.

[0014] To enable mass production, container coating systems are used, featuring a multitude of coating stations around the circumference of a carrier wheel. The coating stations can be configured to hold one or, preferably, several containers, with the entire coating process occurring continuously during the rotation of the coating stations between a feed position and a discharge position of the containers, which are designed as beverage bottles. To provide and discharge different pressure levels within a vacuum and / or different fluids for the coating process, each coating station has a valve arrangement with multiple valves connected to corresponding pressure reservoirs or fluid reservoirs.

[0015] The function of a well-known container stratification system is also shown in the video "KHS InnoPET Plasmax".

[0016]

[0017] presented.and re je ws ki • h on ke

[0018] Patent and lawyers

[0019] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0020] 3

[0021] For the coating process, it is of particular importance that the interior of the container is evacuated and largely free of air during the coating step. Within the scope of the invention, a vacuum means that the pressure inside the container is between 0.05 mbar and 5 mbar, preferably between 0.2 and 1 mbar.

[0022] For evacuation, a primary evacuation connection is provided, which is in operative communication with the container opening, so that evacuation can take place before a corresponding coating gas is introduced into the interior of the container via the coating gas outlet, which is also in operative communication with the container opening.

[0023] To ensure a complete and high-quality coating process, it is necessary that all residual components are removed not only from the interior of the tank but also from the coating gas line during the evacuation step. In practice, this is usually done via the primary evacuation port, since the coating gas line is indirectly connected to the primary evacuation port via the interior of the tank.

[0024] It has been shown that this type of evacuation is problematic because the coating gas line, with its comparatively small cross-section, connects to a valve assembly. Due to the small diameter, high frictional resistances exist, which significantly delay the evacuation of the coating gas line and the subsequent valve assembly. Consequently, the entire coating process is significantly impacted by the evacuation step, resulting in faster coating, shorter cycle times, and therefore higher efficiency.

[0025] Patent and lawyers

[0026] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0027] 4

[0028] Container throughput is difficult to achieve due to this limiting factor.

[0029] Against this background, the present invention aims to provide a method that enables faster evacuation of the coating gas line and thus a reduction in the time required.

[0030] The object of the solution to this problem is a method according to claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that during the evacuation step the coating gas line is evacuated at least temporarily via a second end of the coating gas line.

[0031] According to the invention, the coating gas line is not only routed indirectly through the coating chamber to the primary evacuation port. Rather, the coating gas line is also evacuated via its second end. Accordingly, the coating gas line can be connected to a secondary evacuation port, through which the residual gas present in the coating gas line is extracted. By incorporating this additional evacuation measure, the advantage arises that the remaining coating gas can be extracted much more effectively, since evacuation now occurs via both ends of the coating gas line, thus significantly reducing line resistance and the associated pressure loss.Furthermore, evacuation via the second end, particularly via a secondary evacuation port, directly affects the coating gas line, whereas the primary evacuation port must first create a sufficient vacuum within the container interior before adequate evacuation of the coating gas line can occur. This is achieved by incorporating a corresponding [unclear - possibly a specific type of system or device].

[0032] Patent and lawyers

[0033] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0034]

[0035] This measure can significantly reduce the duration of the evacuation step, which is usually between 500 and 1500 ms.

[0036] According to a further development of the method, during the evacuation step, the coating gas line is additionally evacuated, at least temporarily, particularly during an initial phase, via the interior of the vessel. Accordingly, the evacuation is not carried out exclusively via the second end of the coating gas line or via a secondary evacuation connection connected to it. Rather, the coating gas line is evacuated both via the interior of the vessel and via the second end of the coating gas line, so that the two measures complement each other, at least temporarily. The combined evacuation preferably takes place during an initial phase of the evacuation step, which is typically the phase that begins immediately upon commencement of the evacuation step. Furthermore, it can also be advantageous to start the combined evacuation after a time delay.In this case, the first phase involves evacuation exclusively via the interior of the tank, followed by a second phase where evacuation occurs both via the interior of the tank and via the second end of the coating gas line. This prevents the pump connected to the secondary evacuation port from being subjected to the high pressure at startup.

[0037] It should be noted that at the beginning of the evacuation step, air and / or coating gases from the previous coating step are present both inside the container and within the coating gas line. During the first period, the primary evacuation connection is then brought into contact with the inside of the container, so that a continuous negative pressure is created, which is then evacuated via the [unclear text - possibly a machine translation error].

[0038] Patent and lawyers

[0039] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0040] 6

[0041] first end of the coating gas line or via the coating gas outlet also acts on the coating gas line and removes the residual gas from the coating gas line via the interior of the container.

[0042] Simultaneously, a negative pressure is also generated at the second end of the coating gas line during the first time period. This is preferably achieved via a secondary evacuation port. Thus, a negative pressure is present at both the first and second ends of the coating gas line, enabling evacuation through both ends. Typically, the negative pressure at the first end of the coating gas line is lower than the negative pressure at the second end at the beginning of the evacuation step. It should be noted that, within the scope of the invention, "negative pressure" refers to a pressure difference relative to atmospheric pressure. In contrast, vacuum pressure is an absolute pressure.

[0043] According to a further development of the method, it is preferably provided that the interior of the container is evacuated at least temporarily during the evacuation step, particularly during a second period, via the coating gas line. Accordingly, not only is the coating gas line evacuated, but also at least partially the interior of the container, so that the interior of the container is evacuated both via the primary evacuation port and via the second end of the coating gas line, particularly via a secondary evacuation port. The second period can directly follow the first period. Once the coating gas line has been completely evacuated, the area still connected to the second end can be...

[0044] Patent and lawyers

[0045] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0046] 7

[0047] The negative pressure applied to the coating gas line can be used to evacuate the interior of the container in addition to the primary evacuation connection. This further reduces the duration of the evacuation step.

[0048] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the coating gas line is operatively connected at its second end to at least one coating gas connection via a switchable coating gas valve during the filling step, and to a secondary evacuation connection via a switchable second evacuation valve during the evacuation step. According to the usual embodiment, the coating gas line thus connects not only to at least one coating gas connection but also to a secondary evacuation connection. Accordingly, the valve assembly connected to the coating gas line provides not only for the supply of a coating gas but also simultaneously for the removal of residual gases, e.g., coating gases or air.

[0049] To control the individual connections with regard to their interaction with the coating gas line, at least one coating gas line has a switchable coating gas valve, and the secondary evacuation connection has a switchable secondary evacuation valve. During the evacuation step, the secondary evacuation valve is open. This also applies to a primary evacuation valve connected to the primary evacuation connection, so that both evacuation connections can jointly contribute to the evacuation of the container interior and the coating gas line. After the evacuation step is complete, both the primary evacuation valve and the secondary evacuation valve are closed, and during the filling step, at least one switchable coating gas valve is opened, so that the...

[0050] Patent and lawyers

[0051] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0052] 8

[0053] Coating gas can flow into the interior of the container. Typically, several coating gas connections are provided, each connected to a separate coating gas line and individually controlled by an associated switchable coating gas valve. A coating gas, in this context, refers to any gas required for the coating process. During the filling step, various coating gases are usually introduced via the different coating gas connections. Even after the filling step, or during a subsequent coating step, it may be possible to introduce individual coating gases via the coating gas line.

[0054] According to a further development of the procedure, a first vacuum pressure between 0.05 and 50 mbar is applied at the primary evacuation port and / or a second vacuum pressure between 0.1 and 1 mbar is applied at the secondary evacuation port.

[0055] Based on this, it can be provided that an identical vacuum pressure is applied to the primary and secondary evacuation ports. Within the scope of the invention, identical vacuum pressure is understood to mean that the deviations are less than 20%. Such a configuration is particularly advantageous when only one vacuum source is provided, which is then connected, or can be connected, to both the primary and secondary evacuation ports.

[0056] However, a typical coating station is designed to have multiple vacuum sources, allowing for several pressure stages to be applied at the primary evacuation port. This design has the advantage that...

[0057] Patent and lawyers

[0058] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0059] 9

[0060] Evacuation can be carried out through several pressure stages, thus keeping the pressure difference between the container interior and the coating chamber low to prevent damage to the containers. Accordingly, a variety of vacuum sources are available that can be connected to the primary evacuation port. The secondary evacuation port is also preferably connected to at least one of these vacuum sources, although alternatively, at least one separate secondary vacuum source can be provided that can be connected exclusively to the secondary evacuation port.

[0061] If multiple vacuum sources are provided, the first and second vacuum pressures preferably differ from each other, at least temporarily. Typically, the secondary evacuation port can be connected to the vacuum source that provides an intermediate vacuum pressure. In particular, between three and six vacuum sources are provided, with the first vacuum source having the highest vacuum pressure and the last vacuum source having the lowest vacuum pressure. Based on this configuration, the secondary evacuation port can then be connected exclusively to an intermediate vacuum source, while the first primary evacuation port is connected successively to the individual vacuum sources during evacuation.

[0062] A further embodiment of the invention provides that during the evacuation step, the coating chamber is additionally evacuated via an external evacuation port. Accordingly, not only the interior of the container but also the coating chamber outside the container is evacuated. A third vacuum pressure is applied at the external evacuation port. This third vacuum pressure preferably amounts to [and re je ws ki • h on ke].

[0063] Patent and lawyers

[0064] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0065] 10

[0066] between 10 and 50 mbar. In particular, the third vacuum pressure is identical to the first vacuum pressure, whereby in a configuration with multiple vacuum sources, the external evacuation connection is connected to the same vacuum source as the secondary evacuation connection.

[0067] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that, in a coating step following the filling step, the container is coated on its inner surface by the coating gas. This can be achieved, in particular, by converting the coating gas into a plasma state during the coating step. The components of the reaction gas, which is at least partially immunized in this process—especially the monomers—then deposit on the container surface or on the inner walls of the container. The plasma is typically generated by microwave radiation emitted by a magnetron. The magnetron generates electromagnetic microwaves (with a wavelength in the centimeter range) by accelerating and deflecting electrons in a cavity. For this purpose, a cathode arranged in a cavity is heated by a heating device, resulting in the thermionic emission of electrons.Since a high voltage is applied between the anode and the cathode, they are accelerated towards the anode and deflected by the magnetic field. This results in standing waves, which are coupled out as electromagnetic microwaves via a waveguide and directed to their destination, i.e., the coating chamber.

[0068] The coating step typically lasts between 1500 and 6000 ms. Following this coating step, a subsequent depressurization step preferably takes place, during which the interior of the container is vented via the primary evacuation port. For this purpose, the primary evacuation port is opened during the depressurization step via a [unclear text - possibly referring to a specific type of ventilation system].

[0069] Patent and lawyers

[0070] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0071] 11

[0072] A pressure relief valve is connected to a pressure relief line through which air enters the interior of the container. Air is also introduced into the coating chamber to reduce the negative pressure.

[0073] The coating chamber is then opened in a removal step, and the coated container can be removed from the container holder. A new container to be coated is then inserted, and the process begins again.

[0074] The invention further relates to a coating station according to claim 11 for coating containers, in particular beverage containers, wherein the features mentioned in connection with the coating station also apply to the previously described method. Likewise, the features described in connection with the method according to the invention, in particular the described structural features, can also be adopted for the coating station.

[0075] The coating station has at least one coating chamber with a container receptacle, wherein the coating chamber is connected via a primary evacuation port to at least one primary evacuation line and via a coating gas outlet to a coating gas line, wherein the coating gas line can be operatively connected via at least one switchable coating gas valve to a coating gas port and via a switchable secondary evacuation valve to a secondary evacuation port. The at least one primary evacuation line can also each be connected to the primary evacuation port via an associated primary evacuation valve. Based on this, the invention provides that a control device is set up so that the coating gas valve and the [unclear text]

[0076] Patent and lawyers

[0077] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0078] 12

[0079] To control the secondary evacuation valve for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0080] In particular, the coating gas line is provided for, at least partially, within a gas lance that opens into the interior of the container via the coating gas outlet. The gas lance is preferably fixed relative to the container housing. However, it is more preferred that the gas lance is located, at least partially, inside the container during both the evacuation and coating steps. In contrast, during the preliminary step, the gas lance is positioned outside the container, allowing the container to be inserted into the housing by sliding it in laterally. Subsequently, the housing is moved relative to the gas lance. Simultaneously, a hood is positioned above the container, forming the coating chamber.The coating gas outlet can then be arranged vertically above the primary evacuation port.

[0081] Furthermore, it may be provided that the coating gas outlet and the primary evacuation outlet are arranged next to each other, so that both outlets usually open into or onto the interior of the container with the same orientation.

[0082] According to a further development of the invention, the coating gas line connects to a coating gas connection via at least one coating gas valve, and in particular several coating gas valves. Accordingly, it can be controlled by means of the coating gas valve and the secondary evacuation valve whether a coating gas is introduced into the container via the coating gas line or whether residual gas is discharged.

[0083] Patent and lawyers

[0084] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0085] 13

[0086] The secondary evacuation connection is used. Typically, a number of coating gas valves are connected to a single coating gas connection, allowing different coating gases to be introduced into the container at various stages of the filling and / or coating process. Specifically, between two and six coating gas valves or connections are provided.

[0087] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the primary evacuation port is also connected to the primary evacuation line via a primary evacuation valve, and this line in turn is connected to a vacuum source. In particular, it is provided that the primary evacuation port is connected to different vacuum sources via a plurality of primary evacuation valves, whereby the different primary evacuation valves can be switched at different times during the evacuation process. This makes it possible to generate different pressure levels during the evacuation.

[0088] According to a further development, at least two vacuum sources are provided, with the second vacuum source having a lower vacuum pressure than the first. In this configuration, the secondary evacuation port is also connected to the second vacuum source. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide additional vacuum sources with a pressure level higher than the second vacuum source. In particular, between three and six vacuum sources can be provided.

[0089] Furthermore, an external evacuation port with an external evacuation valve can also be connected to one of the vacuum sources for evacuating the coating chamber, preferably the first vacuum source or a separate vacuum source.

[0090] Patent and lawyers

[0091] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0092] 14

[0093] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one coating gas valve and the at least one secondary evacuation valve are arranged in a common valve assembly. This valve assembly can furthermore include the at least one primary evacuation valve and / or the external evacuation valve. In addition, a station valve can be arranged between the valve assembly and the coating gas line, which can completely isolate the valve assembly from the coating gas line.

[0094] The invention further relates to a coating system according to claim 17, comprising a rotatable, driveable carrier and a plurality of coating gas stations according to the invention arranged circumferentially on the carrier. Based on this, the control device is then configured to control the inventive method during rotation of the carrier.

[0095] This design is particularly common in the beverage industry, as such rotatably driven carriers enable coating during operation, with the containers being fed in at a feed position and removed at a discharge position. The distance or angle defined between the feed and discharge positions is then the area in which the containers are coated, the duration of which is determined by the rotational speed of the carrier.

[0096] The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. The following are shown: and re je ws ki • h on ke

[0097] Patent and lawyers

[0098] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0099] 15

[0100] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a coating plant for beverage bottles,

[0101] Fig. 2 shows a coating station of the container coating plant according to Fig. 1.

[0102] Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of the coating stations in a longitudinal section,

[0103] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the process flow,

[0104] Fig. 5a, 5b shows a schematic representation of the filling and evacuation step.

[0105] Figure 1 shows a coating system for coating beverage bottles 1, which are continuously fed into the system. The coating system has a rotatable carrier 2 with coating stations 3 arranged on it. Each coating station 3 is designed to hold four beverage bottles 1. The beverage bottles 1, held in the coating stations 3, are coated internally along their path on the carrier 2 between a feed position 4 and a discharge position 5, with a coating that improves the barrier properties.

[0106] The coating can, for example, be based on SiOx, with switching between different fluid flows and / or pressure levels taking place during treatment on the carrier 2. While eighteen coating stations are shown on the carrier 2 in the purely exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1, a preferred embodiment of the container coating system preferably has twenty or more.

[0107] Patent and lawyers

[0108] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0109] 16

[0110] Three coating stations were set up to enable the highest possible overall throughput.

[0111] The throughput of beverage bottles 1 can, for example, be 46,000 beverage bottles per hour, although a higher throughput is also possible within the scope of the present invention. It is also evident that the entire coating process must be optimized for a high throughput.

[0112] Figure 2 shows a coating station 3 in an open state. The coating station 3 has four container holders 6 to accommodate beverage bottles 1 with the opening facing downwards. When the coating station 3 is closed, the beverage bottles 1 are each tightly arranged in a coating chamber 7, and plasma-generating means are introduced into the beverage bottles 1.

[0113] After the coating chamber 7 is closed, a vacuum is created, i.e., the pressure inside and outside the beverage bottles 1 is reduced to a pressure level suitable for the plasma process.

[0114] In addition, gas lances 8 are arranged in the vertical direction V below the container receptacles 6, which are inserted into the beverage bottles 1 during a vertical lifting movement and through which a coating gas is supplied into the interior of the container.

[0115] According to Figures 2 and 3, a total of five primary evacuation valves 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e are provided in a valve block 9, wherein a first primary evacuation valve 11a has the highest vacuum pressure and a second primary evacuation valve 11b has a lower vacuum pressure, so that the five primary evacuation valves 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e provide a vacuum pressure for the entire system.

[0116] Patent and lawyers

[0117] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0118] 17

[0119] A gradual reduction of the vacuum pressure inside the container can be achieved. The primary evacuation valves 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e are also operatively connected to a primary evacuation port 12, which is operatively connected to the interior of the beverage bottle 1 via the container opening. In addition, an external evacuation valve 10 is also provided, which enables evacuation of the coating chamber 7.

[0120] The exact setup and procedure can be seen in Figure 4. Accordingly, five different vacuum sources 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e are provided, each of which is connected to the primary evacuation valves 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e via an associated primary evacuation line. These primary evacuation valves 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e allow the respective vacuum source 13a to 13e to be connected to the primary evacuation port 12 in order to evacuate the interior of the container.

[0121] Typically, the primary evacuation port 12 is also used to evacuate the gas lance 8 or a coating gas line 14 located therein and / or connected to it, through which a coating gas is introduced into the interior of the container. The coating gas line 14 is operatively connected to a valve assembly 16 via a station valve 15, the valve assembly 16 comprising a total of five coating gas valves 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e, which can connect the coating gas line 14 to a coating gas connection 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e in order to introduce various coating gases required for the coating process into the interior of the container.

[0122] Patent and lawyers

[0123] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0124] 18

[0125] In practice, carrying out the coating step requires not only evacuating the interior of the container and the coating chamber 7, but also removing residual gases from the coating gas line 14. This is usually done via the primary evacuation port 14. However, due to the small diameter of the gas lance 8, this evacuation step takes a comparatively long time, as the vacuum pressure at the primary evacuation port 12 only generates a slight negative pressure in the gas lance 8 due to pressure losses.

[0126] According to the invention, a secondary evacuation valve 19 is provided, which is part of the valve assembly 16 and acts directly on the coating gas line 14. Accordingly, the coating gas line 14 is evacuated at a first end, which forms a coating gas outlet in the gas lance 8, and at a second end, which connects to the valve assembly 16 via the station valve 15. The secondary evacuation valve allows connection to a secondary evacuation port 20, which, according to the illustrated example, is operatively connected to the vacuum source 13c, so that a mean vacuum pressure is present at the second end of the coating gas line 14.

[0127] In addition, an external evacuation valve 10 is also provided, which connects to the first vacuum source 13a via an external evacuation port 21.

[0128] The coating system also includes a control device, which is not shown in detail in Figure 4, and by means of which the process shown in Figures 5a and 5b can be controlled. According to Figure 5a, a beverage bottle 1 is inserted into the container holder 6, whereby during this step the interior of the container is coated with the beverage bottle 1 and the coating system.

[0129] Patent and lawyers

[0130] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve)

[0131] 19

[0132] The coating gas line 14 arranged in the gas lance 8 and the valve assembly 16 are filled with air. It should be noted that after coating, air is introduced into the system via a vent valve 11f to relieve the negative pressure inside the beverage bottle 1 and inside the coating chamber 7, thus enabling the removal of the beverage bottle 1.

[0133] The station valve 15 is open in this state, while the coating gas valves 17a and 17b are closed. It should be noted that only two of the coating gas valves are shown as examples. Similarly, instead of the primary evacuation valves 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, and 11e, only one primary evacuation valve 11 is shown. Figure 5a also shows the secondary evacuation valve 19, which is closed during the preceding step.

[0134] The beverage bottle 1 is then evacuated, whereby both the primary evacuation valve 11 and the secondary evacuation valve 19 are opened, so that the coating gas line 14 is evacuated via both ends of the coating gas line 14.

[0135] Afterwards, the primary evacuation valve 11 and the secondary evacuation valve 19 are closed, and a coating gas is introduced into the interior of the container via the coating gas valves 18a and 18b through the coating of the gas line 14. The coating process can then be started.

[0136] Patent and lawyers

[0137] Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MHA / e)

[0138] 20

[0139] Reference symbol list

[0140] beverage bottle

[0141] carrier

[0142] Coating station

[0143] Recording position

[0144] Removal position

[0145] Container receptacle

[0146] Coating chamber

[0147] Gas lance

[0148] Valve block

[0149] 0 External evacuation valve

[0150] 1 Primary evacuation valve

[0151] 1 a to 11 e Primary evacuation valve

[0152] 1f ventilation valve

[0153] 2 Primary evacuation connection

[0154] 3a to 13e Vacuum source

[0155] 4 Coating gas line

[0156] 5 station valve

[0157] 6 Valve assembly

[0158] 7a to 17e Coating gas valve

[0159] 8a to 18e Coating gas connection

[0160] 9 Secondary evacuation valve

[0161] 0 Secondary evacuation connection

[0162] 1 external evacuation connection

Claims

and re je ws ki • h on ke Patent and lawyers Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MHA / e) Patent claims:

1. Method for coating containers in a coating station (3) with at least one coating chamber having a container holder, wherein in a regulation a container to be coated is inserted and held in the container holder, wherein during an evacuation step an interior of the container is evacuated via a primary evacuation port (12), wherein subsequently during a filling step the container is filled with a coating gas via a coating gas line (14), wherein the coating gas line (14) opens at a first end into the interior of the container with a coating gas outlet, characterized by the fact that during the evacuation step the coating gas line (14) is evacuated at least temporarily via a second end.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that during the evacuation step the coating gas line (14) is additionally evacuated at least temporarily, in particular during a first period, via the interior of the container.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interior of the container is evacuated at least temporarily, in particular during a second period, via the coating gas line (14) during the evacuation step. Patent and lawyers Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve) 2 4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coating gas line (14) is operatively connected at the second end during the filling step via a switchable coating gas valve (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e) to at least one coating gas connection (18a, 18b, 18c, 18s, 18e) and during the evacuation step via a switchable secondary evacuation valve (19) to a secondary evacuation connection (20).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that a first vacuum pressure applied to the primary evacuation port (12) is between 0.05 and 50 mbar and / or a second vacuum pressure applied to the secondary evacuation port (20) is between 0.1 and 1 mbar.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the first and the second vacuum pressure differ from each other at least temporarily.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the evacuation step the coating chamber is additionally evacuated via an external evacuation connection (21).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a coating step following the filling step the container is coated on an inner side by the coating gas.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the coating gas is converted into a plasma state during the coating step. Patent and lawyers Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MH / Ve) 10. Coating station (3) for coating containers, in particular beverage containers, with at least one coating chamber having a container holder, wherein the coating chamber is connected via a primary evacuation port (12) to at least one primary evacuation line and via a coating gas outlet to a coating gas line (14), wherein the coating gas line (14) can be operatively connected via at least one switchable coating gas valve (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e) to a coating gas port (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e) and via at least one switchable secondary evacuation valve (19) to a secondary evacuation port (20), characterized by the fact that a control device is provided to control the coating gas valve (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e) and the secondary evacuation valve (19) for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

11. Coating station (3) according to claim 10, characterized in that the coating gas outlet is arranged in a gas lance (8) which is designed to be movable relative to the container receiving, wherein in particular during the evacuation step the gas lance (8) is arranged at least partially inside the container interior.

12. Coating station (3) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the coating gas outlet and the primary evacuation port (12) open side by side into the coating chamber. Patent and lawyers Patent application 09 February 2026 KHS GmbH (X 28239 / MHA / e) 13. Coating station (3) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the coating gas line (12) connects to a coating gas connection (18a, 18b, 17c, 17d, 17e) via at least one coating gas valve (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e), in particular via several coating gas valves (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e).

14. Coating station (3) according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the primary evacuation port (12) connects to different vacuum sources via a plurality of primary evacuation valves (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e).

15. Coating station (3) according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the at least one coating gas valve (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e) and the at least one secondary evacuation valve (19) are arranged in a common valve assembly, in particular a valve block (9).

16. Coating system with a rotatably driven carrier (2) and a plurality of coating stations (3) arranged in a circumferential direction on the carrier (2) according to one of claims 11 to 16.

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