Process and apparatus for coating composite pulp honeycomb support elements

A coating device for coating composite pulp honeycomb support elements (1), each having a multiplicity of passages (5, 6) extending in an axial direction, with an impregnation coating for the purpose of increasing the fire and/or water resistance and/or the mechanical stability of the support elements, comprising a conveyor (8) for transporting the composite pulp honeycomb support elements (1) in a direction of feed along a filling station (9), wherein the conveyor is designed so that an impregnation agent (12) is filled from above into the passages (5, 6) of the composite pulp honeycomb support elements (1), damming agents (16) positioned relative to the filling station (9) for reducing downward flow of the impregnation agent (12) out of the passages (5, 6) such that the impregnation agent (12) is built up in the passages (5, 6) up to an upper face of the composite pulp honeycomb support elements (1), and a draining station (19) arranged downstream of the filling station (9) in the direction of feed, at which draining station excess impregnation agent (12) can drain out of the passages (5, 6) of the composite pulp honeycomb support elements (1), and wherein, at the draining station (19), vibration means (20) are provided for the purpose of setting the composite pulp honeycomb support elements (1) into vibration, for aiding the drainage process.