Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating apparatus comprising a coating vessel rotatably supported at one end and connected to a vacuum source by a coaxially arranged and co-rotatable tube containing a spray nozzle. The tube is supported separately from the coating vessel and is arranged for movement along the axis of rotation of the coating vessel. The coating vessel includes a discharge opening closable by a cover which is carried by the tube. The tube is preferably guided for movement along the axis of the coating vessel within a piece of pipe which is rotatably supported within a bearing box which is pivotable away from the coating vessel.