WO2005046972A1 - Unit for the continuous treatment of the surface of objects, and treatment method - Google Patents

Unit for the continuous treatment of the surface of objects, and treatment method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005046972A1
WO2005046972A1 PCT/FR2004/002817 FR2004002817W WO2005046972A1 WO 2005046972 A1 WO2005046972 A1 WO 2005046972A1 FR 2004002817 W FR2004002817 W FR 2004002817W WO 2005046972 A1 WO2005046972 A1 WO 2005046972A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
chamber
objects
plasma gas
treatment
gas
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PCT/FR2004/002817
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French (fr)
Inventor
Franck Callebert
Original Assignee
Vector Advanced Surface Technologies
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Publication date
Application filed by Vector Advanced Surface Technologies filed Critical Vector Advanced Surface Technologies
Priority to EP04805368A priority Critical patent/EP1684966A1/en
Publication of WO2005046972A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005046972A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C59/00—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C59/14—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor by plasma treatment

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an installation for continuous treatment of the surface of objects.
  • the invention also relates to the method for the implementation of this installation.
  • Installations for treating the surface of objects, in particular plastic materials are already known, comprising a treatment chamber intended to receive the objects to be treated, connected on the one hand to suction means to create a vacuum in the chamber and on the other hand to means for introducing and circulating in this chamber a plasma gas.
  • These installations also comprise, upstream of the chamber, relative to the direction of circulation of said plasma gas, means for creating electrical discharges in said plasma gas, in order to create in the chamber a plasma comprising a certain proportion of free atoms .
  • These free atoms modify the surface of objects by making it adherent with respect to certain coatings.
  • the disadvantage of known installations is that they are not capable of carrying out continuous treatment of the objects. These must first of all be placed in the treatment chamber vented to the open air. Then you have to create a vacuum in the room. This operation requires a relatively long duration. Plasma treatment can then begin. After the end of the treatment, it is necessary to put the chamber in the open air, before opening the chamber and unloading the treated objects. If you want to process a new series of objects, repeat the above operations.
  • the known installations are thus ill-suited to large-scale industrial production and at reduced costs.
  • the object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of known embodiments by creating a treatment installation which can operate continuously.
  • this installation is characterized in that the lower part of the chamber comprises a tray for receiving the objects to be treated, movable between a position in which it sealingly closes the lower part of the chamber and a position in which, the tray is spaced from the lower part of the chamber by a sufficient distance to be able to place said objects on the tray.
  • This installation can thus be implemented, according to the method characterized by the following steps: loading of objects to be treated, on the movable plate in a position spaced from the chamber, control of the rise of the plate towards the sealed closing position of the chamber, control of the suction means to achieve a vacuum in the chamber, - control of the means for introducing the plasma gas into the chamber and controlling its composition, control of the means for generating electric discharges in the gas to create in the chamber a gas containing free atoms in order to treat the surface of said objects, - control, after the end of the treatment, means for venting the interior of the chamber, control of the descent of the tray towards the position spaced from the lower part of the chamber, unloading of the tray and loading of it by a new series of objects to be treated.
  • the plate is movable between the two positions, under the action of mechanical or electro-mechanical control means, such as a jack.
  • the treatment chamber is placed above a compartment containing said suction means, the means for introducing and circulating in the chamber a plasma gas, the means for creating electrical discharges in the plasma gas and part of the means for controlling the movement of the plate.
  • the gas outlet opening from the chamber is covered inside the chamber by a diffusion wall comprising a multitude of small holes, this diffusion wall covering a preponderant fraction of the inner surface of the side wall having the gas outlet opening.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of the treatment installation according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal lateral face of the chamber equipped with a plate diffusion
  • - Figure 3 is a sectional view along the plane AA of Figure 2
  • Figures 4 to 9 are diagrams similar to Figure 1 showing the different steps of the treatment method according to the invention.
  • the installation for continuous treatment of the surface of plastic, composite, mineral or glass objects comprises a treatment chamber 1 intended to receive the objects to be treated connected to '' a part to suction means constituted by a pump vacuum 2 to create a vacuum in the chamber 1 and secondly to means, namely a pipe 3 having a mass flow regulator 4 to introduce and circulate in the chamber 1 a plasma gas.
  • the installation further comprises, upstream of the chamber 1, relative to the direction of circulation of the plasma gas, means, namely a coupler 5 and a discharge tube 6, for creating electrical discharges in the plasma gas.
  • the discharge tube 6 is extended by a conduit 7 which opens into the chamber 1, passing through a side wall 8 of this chamber.
  • the wall 18 opposite the wall 8 carries a gas outlet pipe 10 which is connected to the vacuum pump 2 which opens outwards through an oil mist filter 11. Furthermore, the pipe 10 which serves to evacuate the gases and to create the vacuum is equipped with a suction valve 12 and a valve 13 for venting.
  • the lower part of the chamber 1 comprises a plate 14 for receiving the objects to be treated, movable between a position in which, it closes in a sealed manner with a seal 14a, the lower part of the chamber 1, shown in Figure 1, and a position in which the tray 14 is spaced from the lower part of the chamber 1 by a sufficient distance to be able to place said objects 15 on the tray 14, as shown in Figure 4.
  • the tray 14 is movable between the two above positions, under the action of mechanical or electro-mechanical control means, constituted for example by at least one jack 16, hydraulic or pneumatic.
  • the treatment chamber 1 is placed above a compartment 17, forming a frame, enclosing all of the suction means, in particular the vacuum pump 2, the means for introducing and making circulate in the chamber a plasma gas, in particular the pipe 3 and the flow meter 4, the means for creating electrical discharges in the plasma gas in particular the coupler 5 and the discharge tube 6, and the lower part of the jack 16.
  • the side wall 18 which carries the gas outlet duct 10 is covered internally by a wall of diffusion 19 comprising a multitude of small holes 20.
  • the gas introduced into the chamber 1 can be constituted by a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen in the proportions of 80% O and 20% N 2 . However, the oxygen level can vary between 0 and 100%.
  • the microwave frequency of the coupler 5 can be equal to 2450 MHz.
  • the gas flow can be between 100 N cc / min and 2000 Ncc / mn.
  • the residual pressure inside the chamber 1, before introduction of the gas is of the order of 5 to 10 ⁇ 10 -3 mbar. After introduction of the gas, that is to say during the treatment, the pressure at inside of chamber 1 is between 0.5 and 5 mbar.
  • the discharges carried out in the gas have the consequence that the gas present in the chamber contains a relatively large proportion of oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the state These free atoms have the effect of modifying the surface of objects by improving adhesion or wetting properties with regard to a coating, a varnish, an adhesive, a decoration, etc. ..
  • the diffusion plate 19 placed at the outlet of the gases from the chamber 1 makes it possible to distribute the gas and in particular the free atoms which it contains in the entire volume of the chamber, which has as its effect of increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.
  • This method comprises the following steps: loading of objects 15 to be treated, onto the movable plate 14 in a position spaced from the chamber 1 (see FIG. 4), control of the rise of the plate 14 towards the sealed closing position of the chamber 1 (see FIG. 5), control of the suction means, that is to say the vacuum pump 2, to produce a vacuum in the chamber 1 (see FIG. 6), controls means 3, 4 for introducing the plasma gas into the chamber 1 and controls its composition, controls means 5 for generating electrical discharges in the gas to create in the chamber a gas containing free atoms in order to treat the surface of the objects 15 (see FIG. 7), command, after the end of the treatment, means for venting the interior of the chamber 1, by closing the valve 6 and by opening the valve 7 (see FIG. 8) , control of the descent of the plate 14 to the position spaced from the lower part of the chamber 1 (see FIG. 9), unloading of the plate 14 and loading of it by a new series of objects 15 to be treated.
  • Phase 1 (Fig. 4): loading: 3 s Phase 2: (Fig. 5): platform rise: 2 s Phase 3: (Fig 6): pumping: 10 s Phase 4: (Fig. 7): treatment : 20 s Phase 5: (fig. 8): venting: 3 s Phase 6 (Fig. 9): unloading: 5 s
  • the installation preferably includes an automaton ensuring the coordination of the different stages or phases of the process and including specific software for each type of application to a given material.

Abstract

The invention relates to a unit which is used for the continuous treatment of the surface of objects which are made of a plastic material, composite material, mineral material or glass. The inventive unit comprises a treatment chamber (1) which is intended to receive the objects to be treated and which is connected to (i) suction means (2) for creating a negative pressure in said chamber (1) and (ii) means (3) for introducing and circulating a plasma gas therein. The unit also comprises means (5) for creating electric discharges in the aforementioned plasma gas, said means being disposed upstream of the chamber (1) in relation to the direction of circulation of the gas. The unit is characterised in that the lower part of the chamber (1) comprises a platform (14) for receiving the objects to be treated, which can move between a position in which the platform seals the lower part of the chamber (1) and a position in which said platform (14) is disposed at a sufficient distance from the chamber (1) such that the objects can be placed thereon.

Description

INSTALLATION DE TRAITEMENT EN CONTINU DE LA SURFACE D ' OBJECTS ET PROCEDE POUR LA MISE EN OEUVRE DE CE TRAITEMENTINSTALLATION FOR CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF THE OBJECT SURFACE AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH TREATMENT
La présente invention concerne une installation de traitement en continu de la surface d'objets. L'invention vise également le procédé pour la mise en œuvre de cette installation. On connaît déjà des installations de traitement de la surface d'objets notamment en matières plastiques, comprenant une chambre de traitement destinée à recevoir les objets à traiter, reliée d'une part à des moyens d'aspiration pour créer une dépression dans la chambre et d'autre part à des moyens pour introduire et faire circuler dans cette chambre un gaz plasmagène. Ces installations comportent en outre, en amont de la chambre, relativement au sens de la circulation dudit gaz plasmagène, des moyens pour créer des décharges électriques dans ledit gaz plasmagène, afin de créer dans la chambre un plasma comportant une certaine proportion d'atomes libres. Ces atomes libres modifient la surface des objets en rendant celle-ci adhérente vis à vis de certains revêtements. L'inconvénient des installations connues est qu'elles ne sont pas aptes à réaliser un traitement en continu des objets. Ceux-ci doivent en effet d'abord être placés dans la chambre de traitement mise à l'air libre. Il faut ensuite faire le vide dans la chambre. Cette opération nécessite une durée relativement longue. Le traitement au plasma peut alors commencer. Après la fin du traitement, il est nécessaire de mettre la chambre à l'air libre, avant d'ouvrir la chambre et de décharger les objets traités. Si l'on veut traiter une nouvelle série d'objets, il faut répéter les opérations précitées. Les installations connues sont ainsi peu adaptées à une production industrielle à grande échelle et à des coûts réduits. Le but de la présente invention est de remédier aux inconvénients des réalisations connues en créant une installation de traitement pouvant fonctionner en continu. Suivant l'invention, cette installation est caractérisée en ce que la partie inférieure de la chambre comporte un plateau de réception des objets à traiter, mobile entre une position dans laquelle, il ferme de façon étanche la partie inférieure de la chambre et une position dans laquelle, le plateau est espacé de la partie inférieure de la chambre d'une distance suffisante pour pouvoir placer lesdits objets sur le plateau. Cette installation peut ainsi être mise en œuvre, selon le procédé caractérisé par les étapes suivantes : chargement d'objets à traiter, sur le plateau mobile en position espacée de la chambre, commande de la montée du plateau vers la position de fermeture étanche de la chambre, commande des moyens d'aspiration pour réaliser une dépression dans la chambre, - commande des moyens pour introduire dans la chambre le gaz plasmagène et d'en contrôler la composition, commande des moyens pour engendrer des décharges électriques dans le gaz pour créer dans la chambre un gaz renfermant des atomes libres afin de traiter la surface desdits objets, - commande, après la fin du traitement, des moyens de mise à l'air libre de l'intérieur de la chambre, commande de la descente du plateau vers la position espacée de la partie inférieure de la chambre, déchargement du plateau et chargement de celui-ci par une nouvelle série d'objets à traiter. Ce procédé permet ainsi de traiter des séries successives d'objets, d'une manière sensiblement continue. Le plateau est mobile entre les deux positions, sous l'action de moyens de commande mécaniques ou électro-mécaniques, tel qu'un vérin. De préférence également, la chambre de traitement est placée au-dessus d'un compartiment renfermant lesdits moyens d'aspiration, les moyens pour introduire et faire circuler dans la chambre un gaz plasmagène, les moyens pour créer des décharges électriques dans le gaz plasmagène et une partie des moyens de commande du déplacement du plateau. Selon une caractéristique particulièrement avantageuse de l'invention, l'ouverture de sortie des gaz de la chambre est recouverte à l'intérieur de la chambre par une paroi de diffusion comportant une multitude de petits trous, cette paroi de diffusion recouvrant une fraction prépondérante de la surface intérieure de la paroi latérale comportant l'ouverture de sortie des gaz. Cette paroi de diffusion permet de répartir d'une manière uniforme le gaz et en particulier les atomes libres actifs dans tout le volume de la chambre, ce qui permet d'améliorer l'efficacité du traitement. D'autres particularités et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront encore tout au long de la description ci-après. Aux dessins annexés, donnés à titre d'exemples, non limitatifs : la figure 1 est un schéma de l'installation de traitement selon l'invention, la figure 2 est une vue montrant la face latérale intérieure de la chambre équipée d'une plaque de diffusion, - la figure 3 est une vue en coupe suivant le plan A-A de la figure 2, les figures 4 à 9 sont des schémas analogues à la figure 1 montrant les différentes étapes du procédé de traitement selon l'invention.The present invention relates to an installation for continuous treatment of the surface of objects. The invention also relates to the method for the implementation of this installation. Installations for treating the surface of objects, in particular plastic materials, are already known, comprising a treatment chamber intended to receive the objects to be treated, connected on the one hand to suction means to create a vacuum in the chamber and on the other hand to means for introducing and circulating in this chamber a plasma gas. These installations also comprise, upstream of the chamber, relative to the direction of circulation of said plasma gas, means for creating electrical discharges in said plasma gas, in order to create in the chamber a plasma comprising a certain proportion of free atoms . These free atoms modify the surface of objects by making it adherent with respect to certain coatings. The disadvantage of known installations is that they are not capable of carrying out continuous treatment of the objects. These must first of all be placed in the treatment chamber vented to the open air. Then you have to create a vacuum in the room. This operation requires a relatively long duration. Plasma treatment can then begin. After the end of the treatment, it is necessary to put the chamber in the open air, before opening the chamber and unloading the treated objects. If you want to process a new series of objects, repeat the above operations. The known installations are thus ill-suited to large-scale industrial production and at reduced costs. The object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of known embodiments by creating a treatment installation which can operate continuously. According to the invention, this installation is characterized in that the lower part of the chamber comprises a tray for receiving the objects to be treated, movable between a position in which it sealingly closes the lower part of the chamber and a position in which, the tray is spaced from the lower part of the chamber by a sufficient distance to be able to place said objects on the tray. This installation can thus be implemented, according to the method characterized by the following steps: loading of objects to be treated, on the movable plate in a position spaced from the chamber, control of the rise of the plate towards the sealed closing position of the chamber, control of the suction means to achieve a vacuum in the chamber, - control of the means for introducing the plasma gas into the chamber and controlling its composition, control of the means for generating electric discharges in the gas to create in the chamber a gas containing free atoms in order to treat the surface of said objects, - control, after the end of the treatment, means for venting the interior of the chamber, control of the descent of the tray towards the position spaced from the lower part of the chamber, unloading of the tray and loading of it by a new series of objects to be treated. This process thus makes it possible to process successive series of objects, in a substantially continuous manner. The plate is movable between the two positions, under the action of mechanical or electro-mechanical control means, such as a jack. Preferably also, the treatment chamber is placed above a compartment containing said suction means, the means for introducing and circulating in the chamber a plasma gas, the means for creating electrical discharges in the plasma gas and part of the means for controlling the movement of the plate. According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the gas outlet opening from the chamber is covered inside the chamber by a diffusion wall comprising a multitude of small holes, this diffusion wall covering a preponderant fraction of the inner surface of the side wall having the gas outlet opening. This diffusion wall makes it possible to uniformly distribute the gas and in particular the active free atoms throughout the volume of the chamber, which makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the treatment. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent throughout the description below. In the accompanying drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples: FIG. 1 is a diagram of the treatment installation according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal lateral face of the chamber equipped with a plate diffusion, - Figure 3 is a sectional view along the plane AA of Figure 2, Figures 4 to 9 are diagrams similar to Figure 1 showing the different steps of the treatment method according to the invention.
Comme montré par la figure 1 , l'installation de traitement en continu de la surface d'objets en matière plastique, en matière composite, en matière minérale ou en verre, comprend une chambre de traitement 1 destinée à recevoir les objets à traiter reliée d'une part à des moyens d'aspiration constitués par une pompe à vide 2 pour créer une dépression dans la chambre 1 et d'autre part à des moyens, à savoir une conduite 3 comportant un régulateur de débit massique 4 pour introduire et faire circuler dans la chambre 1 un gaz plasmagène. L'installation comporte en outre, en amont de la chambre 1 , relativement au sens de la circulation du gaz plasmagène, des moyens, à savoir un coupleur 5 et un tube de décharge 6, pour créer des décharges électriques dans le gaz plasmagène. Le tube de décharge 6 est prolongé par un conduit 7 qui débouche dans la chambre 1 , en traversant une paroi latérale 8 de cette chambre. La paroi 18 opposée à la paroi 8 porte une conduite 10 de sortie des gaz qui est reliée à la pompe à vide 2 qui débouche vers l'extérieur par un filtre 11 de brouillard d'huile. Par ailleurs, la conduite 10 qui sert à évacuer les gaz et à créer la dépression est équipée d'une vanne 12 d'aspiration et d'une vanne 13 de mise à l'air libre. Conformément à l'invention la partie inférieure de la chambre 1 comporte un plateau 14 de réception des objets à traiter, mobile entre une position dans laquelle, il ferme de façon étanche grâce à un joint 14a, la partie inférieure de la chambre 1 , comme montré par la figure 1 , et une position dans laquelle, le plateau 14 est espacé de la partie inférieure de la chambre 1 d'une distance suffisante pour pouvoir placer lesdits objets 15 sur le plateau 14, comme montré par la figure 4. Le plateau 14 est mobile entre les deux positions ci-dessus, sous l'action de moyens de commande mécaniques ou électro-mécaniques, constitués par exemple par au moins un vérin 16, hydraulique ou pneumatique. Comme montré par la figure 1, la chambre de traitement 1 est placée au- dessus d'un compartiment 17, formant bâti, renfermant l'ensemble des moyens d'aspiration, en particulier la pompe à vide 2, les moyens pour introduire et faire circuler dans la chambre un gaz plasmagène, notamment la conduite 3 et le débitmètre 4, les moyens pour créer des décharges électriques dans le gaz plasmagène en particulier le coupleur 5 et le tube de décharge 6, et la partie inférieure du vérin 16. Comme indiqué sur les figures 1, 2 et 3, la paroi latérale 18 qui porte le conduit 10 de sortie des gaz est recouverte intérieurement par une paroi de diffusion 19 comportant une multitude de petits trous 20. Cette paroi de diffusion 19 recouvre l'ouverture 21 du conduit de sortie 10 et une fraction prépondérante de la surface intérieure de la paroi latérale 18. Le gaz introduit dans la chambre 1 peut être constitué par un mélange d'oxygène et d'azote dans les proportions de 80% d'0 et de 20% de N2. Toutefois, le taux d'oxygène peut varier entre 0 et 100%. La fréquence micro-ondes du coupleur 5 peut être égale à 2450 MHz. Le débit du gaz peut être compris entre 100 N cc/mn et 2000 Ncc/mn. La pression résiduelle à l'intérieur de la chambre 1 , avant introduction du gaz est de l'ordre de 5 à 10.10 "3 mbar. Après introduction du gaz, c'est-à-dire pendant le traitement, la pression à l'intérieur de la chambre 1 est comprise entre 0,5 et 5 mbar. Les décharges réalisées dans le gaz ont pour conséquence que le gaz présent dans la chambre renferme une proportion relativement importante d'atomes d'oxygène et d'azote à l'état libre. Ces atomes libres ont pour effet de modifier la surface des objets en améliorant des propriétés d'adhésion ou de mouillage vis-à-vis d'un revêtement, d'un vernis, d'une colle, d'un décor, etc.. La plaque de diffusion 19 placée à la sortie des gaz de la chambre 1 permet de répartir d'une manière homogène le gaz et en particulier les atomes libres qu'il contient dans la totalité du volume de la chambre, ce qui a pour effet d'augmenter l'efficacité du traitement. On va maintenant décrire, en référence aux figures 4 à 9, le procédé de traitement selon l'invention, tel que mis en œuvre par l'installation que l'on vient de décrire. Ce procédé comprend les étapes suivantes : chargement d'objets 15 à traiter, sur le plateau mobile 14 en position espacée de la chambre 1 (voir figure 4), commande de la montée du plateau 14 vers la position de fermeture étanche de la chambre 1 (voir figure 5), commande des moyens d'aspiration, c'est-à-dire la pompe à vide 2, pour réaliser une dépression dans la chambre 1 (voir figure 6), commande des moyens 3, 4 pour introduire le gaz plasmagène dans la chambre 1 et en contrôler la composition, commande des moyens 5 pour engendrer des décharges électriques dans le gaz pour créer dans la chambre un gaz renfermant des atomes libres afin de traiter la surface des objets 15 (voir figure 7), commande, après la fin du traitement, des moyens de mise à l'air libre de l'intérieur de la chambre 1 , en fermant la vanne 6 et en ouvrant la vanne 7 (voir figure 8), commande de la descente du plateau 14 vers la position espacée de la partie inférieure de la chambre 1 (voir figure 9), déchargement du plateau 14 et chargement de celui-ci par une nouvelle série d'objets 15 à traiter.As shown in FIG. 1, the installation for continuous treatment of the surface of plastic, composite, mineral or glass objects, comprises a treatment chamber 1 intended to receive the objects to be treated connected to '' a part to suction means constituted by a pump vacuum 2 to create a vacuum in the chamber 1 and secondly to means, namely a pipe 3 having a mass flow regulator 4 to introduce and circulate in the chamber 1 a plasma gas. The installation further comprises, upstream of the chamber 1, relative to the direction of circulation of the plasma gas, means, namely a coupler 5 and a discharge tube 6, for creating electrical discharges in the plasma gas. The discharge tube 6 is extended by a conduit 7 which opens into the chamber 1, passing through a side wall 8 of this chamber. The wall 18 opposite the wall 8 carries a gas outlet pipe 10 which is connected to the vacuum pump 2 which opens outwards through an oil mist filter 11. Furthermore, the pipe 10 which serves to evacuate the gases and to create the vacuum is equipped with a suction valve 12 and a valve 13 for venting. According to the invention, the lower part of the chamber 1 comprises a plate 14 for receiving the objects to be treated, movable between a position in which, it closes in a sealed manner with a seal 14a, the lower part of the chamber 1, shown in Figure 1, and a position in which the tray 14 is spaced from the lower part of the chamber 1 by a sufficient distance to be able to place said objects 15 on the tray 14, as shown in Figure 4. The tray 14 is movable between the two above positions, under the action of mechanical or electro-mechanical control means, constituted for example by at least one jack 16, hydraulic or pneumatic. As shown in FIG. 1, the treatment chamber 1 is placed above a compartment 17, forming a frame, enclosing all of the suction means, in particular the vacuum pump 2, the means for introducing and making circulate in the chamber a plasma gas, in particular the pipe 3 and the flow meter 4, the means for creating electrical discharges in the plasma gas in particular the coupler 5 and the discharge tube 6, and the lower part of the jack 16. As indicated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the side wall 18 which carries the gas outlet duct 10 is covered internally by a wall of diffusion 19 comprising a multitude of small holes 20. This diffusion wall 19 covers the opening 21 of the outlet duct 10 and a preponderant fraction of the interior surface of the side wall 18. The gas introduced into the chamber 1 can be constituted by a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen in the proportions of 80% O and 20% N 2 . However, the oxygen level can vary between 0 and 100%. The microwave frequency of the coupler 5 can be equal to 2450 MHz. The gas flow can be between 100 N cc / min and 2000 Ncc / mn. The residual pressure inside the chamber 1, before introduction of the gas, is of the order of 5 to 10 × 10 -3 mbar. After introduction of the gas, that is to say during the treatment, the pressure at inside of chamber 1 is between 0.5 and 5 mbar. The discharges carried out in the gas have the consequence that the gas present in the chamber contains a relatively large proportion of oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the state These free atoms have the effect of modifying the surface of objects by improving adhesion or wetting properties with regard to a coating, a varnish, an adhesive, a decoration, etc. .. The diffusion plate 19 placed at the outlet of the gases from the chamber 1 makes it possible to distribute the gas and in particular the free atoms which it contains in the entire volume of the chamber, which has as its effect of increasing the effectiveness of the treatment. We will now describe, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the treatment method according to the invention, as implemented by the installation which has just been described. This method comprises the following steps: loading of objects 15 to be treated, onto the movable plate 14 in a position spaced from the chamber 1 (see FIG. 4), control of the rise of the plate 14 towards the sealed closing position of the chamber 1 (see FIG. 5), control of the suction means, that is to say the vacuum pump 2, to produce a vacuum in the chamber 1 (see FIG. 6), controls means 3, 4 for introducing the plasma gas into the chamber 1 and controls its composition, controls means 5 for generating electrical discharges in the gas to create in the chamber a gas containing free atoms in order to treat the surface of the objects 15 (see FIG. 7), command, after the end of the treatment, means for venting the interior of the chamber 1, by closing the valve 6 and by opening the valve 7 (see FIG. 8) , control of the descent of the plate 14 to the position spaced from the lower part of the chamber 1 (see FIG. 9), unloading of the plate 14 and loading of it by a new series of objects 15 to be treated.
Dans une installation créée par la Demanderesse, la durée des différentes phases sont les suivantes :In an installation created by the Applicant, the duration of the different phases are as follows:
Phase 1 : (Fig. 4) : chargement : 3 s Phase 2: (Fig. 5) : montée du plateau: 2 s Phase 3 : (Fig 6) : pompage : 10 s Phase 4: (Fig. 7): traitement: 20 s Phase 5: (fig. 8): remise à l'air: 3 s Phase 6 (Fig. 9) : déchargement : 5 sPhase 1: (Fig. 4): loading: 3 s Phase 2: (Fig. 5): platform rise: 2 s Phase 3: (Fig 6): pumping: 10 s Phase 4: (Fig. 7): treatment : 20 s Phase 5: (fig. 8): venting: 3 s Phase 6 (Fig. 9): unloading: 5 s
L'installation comporte de préférence un automate assurant la coordination des différentes étapes ou phases du procédé et incluant un logiciel spécifique pour chaque type d'application à un matériau donné. The installation preferably includes an automaton ensuring the coordination of the different stages or phases of the process and including specific software for each type of application to a given material.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Installation de traitement en continu de la surface d'objets en matière plastique, en matière composite, en matière minérale ou en verre, comprenant une chambre de traitement (1) destinée à recevoir les objets à traiter reliée d'une part à des moyens d'aspiration (2) pour créer une dépression dans la chambre (1) et d'autre part à des moyens (3) pour introduire et faire circuler dans cette chambre (1) un gaz plasmagène, l'installation comportant en outre, en amont de la chambre (1), relativement au sens de la circulation dudit gaz plasmagène, des moyens (5) pour créer des décharges électriques dans ledit gaz plasmagène, l'installation étant caractérisée en ce que la partie inférieure de la chambre (1) comporte un plateau (14) de réception des objets à traiter, mobile entre une position dans laquelle, il ferme de façon étanche la partie inférieure de la chambre (1) et une position dans laquelle, le plateau (14) est espacé de la partie inférieure de la chambre (1) d'une distance suffisante pour pouvoir placer lesdits objets sur le plateau (14).1. Installation for continuous treatment of the surface of plastic, composite, mineral or glass objects, comprising a treatment chamber (1) intended to receive the objects to be treated connected on the one hand to suction means (2) to create a vacuum in the chamber (1) and on the other hand to means (3) for introducing and circulating in this chamber (1) a plasma gas, the installation further comprising, upstream of the chamber (1), relative to the direction of circulation of said plasma gas, means (5) for creating electrical discharges in said plasma gas, the installation being characterized in that the lower part of the chamber (1 ) comprises a tray (14) for receiving the objects to be treated, movable between a position in which, it seals the lower part of the chamber (1) and a position in which, the tray (14) is spaced from the lower part of the cham bre (1) a sufficient distance to be able to place said objects on the plate (14).
2. Installation selon la revendication 1 , caractérisée en ce que ledit plateau (14) est mobile entre les deux positions, sous l'action de moyens de commande mécaniques ou électro-mécaniques. 2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate (14) is movable between the two positions, under the action of mechanical or electro-mechanical control means.
3. Installation selon la revendication 1 , caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens de commande comprennent au moins un vérin (16).3. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that said control means comprise at least one jack (16).
4. Installation selon l'une des revendications 2 à 3, caractérisée en ce que la chambre de traitement (1) est placée au-dessus d'un compartiment (17) renfermant lesdits moyens d'aspiration (2), les moyens (3) pour introduire et faire circuler dans la chambre (1) un gaz plasmagène, les moyens (5) pour créer des décharges électriques dans le gaz plasmagène et une partie des moyens de commande du déplacement du plateau (14). 4. Installation according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the treatment chamber (1) is placed above a compartment (17) containing said suction means (2), the means (3 ) to introduce and circulate in the chamber (1) a plasma gas, the means (5) for creating electrical discharges in the plasma gas and part of the means for controlling the movement of the plate (14).
5. Installation selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que l'une des parois latérales (8) de la chambre (1) comporte un conduit d'entrée (7) du gaz plasmagène ayant subi les décharges électriques et la paroi latérale (18) opposée à la paroi (8) ci-dessus porte un conduit (10) de sortie des gaz.5. Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that one of the side walls (8) of the chamber (1) comprises an inlet conduit (7) of the plasma gas having undergone electrical discharges and the side wall (18 ) opposite the wall (8) above carries a gas outlet duct (10).
6. Installation selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que l'ouverture de sortie (21) des gaz est recouverte, à l'intérieur de la chambre (1) par une paroi de diffusion (19) comportant une multitude de petits trous (20), cette paroi de diffusion (19) recouvrant une fraction prépondérante de la surface intérieure de ladite paroi latérale (18).6. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that the outlet opening (21) of the gases is covered, inside the chamber (1) by a diffusion wall (19) comprising a multitude of small holes ( 20), this diffusion wall (19) covering a preponderant fraction of the interior surface of said side wall (18).
7. Procédé pour la mise en œuvre de l'installation selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé par les étapes suivantes : - chargement des objets à traiter (15), sur le plateau mobile (14) en position espacée de la chambre (1), commande de la montée du plateau (14) vers la position de fermeture étanche de la chambre (1), commande des moyens d'aspiration (2) pour réaliser une dépression dans la chambre (1), commande des moyens (3, 4) pour introduire le gaz plasmagène dans la chambre (1) et d'en contrôler la composition, commande des moyens pour engendrer des décharges électriques dans le gaz pour créer dans la chambre (1 ) un gaz renfermant des atomes libres afin de traiter la surface desdits objets (15), commande, après la fin du traitement, des moyens de mise à l'air libre de l'intérieur de la chambre (1), commande de la descente du plateau (14) vers la position espacée de la partie inférieure de la chambre (1), - déchargement du plateau (14) et chargement de celui-ci par une nouvelle série d'objets à traiter (15). 7. Method for implementing the installation according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the following steps: - loading of the objects to be treated (15), on the movable plate (14) in a position spaced from the chamber (1), control of the rise of the plate (14) towards the sealed closing position of the chamber (1), control of the suction means (2) to produce a vacuum in the chamber (1), control of the means (3, 4) to introduce the plasma gas into the chamber (1) and to control its composition, control means to generate electrical discharges in the gas to create in the chamber (1) a gas containing free atoms so to treat the surface of said objects (15), order, after the end of treatment, means for venting the interior of the chamber (1), control the descent of the tray (14) towards the position spaced from the lower part of the chamber (1), - unloading of the tray (14) and loading t of it by a new series of objects to be treated (15).
PCT/FR2004/002817 2003-11-06 2004-11-03 Unit for the continuous treatment of the surface of objects, and treatment method WO2005046972A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04805368A EP1684966A1 (en) 2003-11-06 2004-11-03 Unit for the continuous treatment of the surface of objects, and treatment method

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0313209A FR2862070B1 (en) 2003-11-06 2003-11-06 CONTINUOUS SURFACE TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR OBJECTS AND METHOD FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION THEREOF
FR0313209 2003-11-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005046972A1 true WO2005046972A1 (en) 2005-05-26

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EP (1) EP1684966A1 (en)
CN (1) CN1894086A (en)
FR (1) FR2862070B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005046972A1 (en)

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CN109515020B (en) * 2017-09-18 2021-03-23 云谷（固安）科技有限公司 Ink jet printing method

Citations (5)

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US4581100A (en) * 1984-10-29 1986-04-08 International Business Machines Corporation Mixed excitation plasma etching system
EP0296002A2 (en) * 1987-06-03 1988-12-21 J. Reydel S.A. Procedure for treating the surface of objects
US5415819A (en) * 1991-10-07 1995-05-16 Ford Motor Company Low pressure plasma treatment method
US5660639A (en) * 1995-10-17 1997-08-26 Ford Motor Company Method and apparatus for plasma treating an article
US20030164143A1 (en) * 2002-01-10 2003-09-04 Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. Batch-type remote plasma processing apparatus

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4581100A (en) * 1984-10-29 1986-04-08 International Business Machines Corporation Mixed excitation plasma etching system
EP0296002A2 (en) * 1987-06-03 1988-12-21 J. Reydel S.A. Procedure for treating the surface of objects
US5415819A (en) * 1991-10-07 1995-05-16 Ford Motor Company Low pressure plasma treatment method
US5660639A (en) * 1995-10-17 1997-08-26 Ford Motor Company Method and apparatus for plasma treating an article
US20030164143A1 (en) * 2002-01-10 2003-09-04 Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. Batch-type remote plasma processing apparatus

Also Published As

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FR2862070B1 (en) 2006-02-03
CN1894086A (en) 2007-01-10
EP1684966A1 (en) 2006-08-02
FR2862070A1 (en) 2005-05-13

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