Abstract: A vacuum lock for a vacuum coating plant comprises a chamber for receiving a substrate carrier, wherein the chamber comprises a first and a second inner surface. A conveyor is configured for conveying the substrate carrier. The vacuum lock comprises a flow channel assembly for evacuating and venting the chamber, the flow channel assembly being configured to cause a gas flow between both the first inner surface and a first substrate carrier surface facing the first inner surface and between the second inner surface and a second substrate carrier surface facing the second inner surface. The substrate carrier can be positioned between the first and the second inner surfaces such that a ratio of a first distance between the first inner surface and the first substrate carrier surface to a length (L) of the substrate carrier is smaller than 0.1, and a ratio of a second distance between the second inner surface and the second substrate carrier surface to a length (L) of the substrate carrier is smaller than 0.1.

Abstract: A continuous machine (100) for coating substrates (103) comprises a process module (130) and a vacuum lock (110, 150) for introducing the substrates (103) or removing the substrates (103). The vacuum lock (110, 150) comprises a chamber for receiving a substrate carrier (102) with a plurality of substrates (103) and a flow channel arrangement for evacuating and venting the chamber. The flow channel arrangement comprises a first channel for evacuating and venting the chamber and a second channel for evacuating and venting the chamber, wherein the first channel and the second channel are arranged at opposing sides of the chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum lock for a vacuum coating plant comprises a chamber for receiving a substrate carrier, wherein the chamber comprises a first and a second inner surface. A conveyor is configured for conveying the substrate carrier. The vacuum lock comprises a flow channel assembly for evacuating and venting the chamber, the flow channel assembly being configured to cause a gas flow between both the first inner surface and a first substrate carrier surface facing the first inner surface and between the second inner surface and a second substrate carrier surface facing the second inner surface. The substrate carrier can be positioned between the first and the second inner surfaces such that a ratio of a first distance between the first inner surface and the first substrate carrier surface to a length (L) of the substrate carrier is smaller than 0.1, and a ratio of a second distance between the second inner surface and the second substrate carrier surface to a length (L) of the substrate carrier is smaller than 0.1.