In-line web material processing machine and method for producing a coated material

Abstract

An in-line web material processing machine (1) for producing a coated material is disclosed. The processing machine comprises a process vacuum chamber (31) housing an unwinder reel holder for holding a first supply roll (51) of web material (2) to be processed and a vacuum coating unit (52) for deposing a coating on the web material. A loading vacuum chamber (32) housing a second supply roll of web material to be processed is provided, with an inlet closure (321) arranged between the process vacuum chamber (31) and the loading vacuum chamber (32). The inlet closure (321) is arranged to be moved between a closed state, in which the vacuum chambers are separated from each other, and an open state, in which access is provided between the vacuum chambers. An automatic reel change system (4) is operable to move the second supply roll of web material from the loading vacuum chamber (32) to the process vacuum chamber (31) under vacuum when the inlet closure (321) is in the open state and to change a supply roll (51) on the unwinder reel holder from the first supply roll to the second supply roll under vacuum.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.