Abstract: An apparatus for treating a travelling web of material in a predetermined gaseous atmosphere comprising a chamber (1) through which a moving web of material (2) is transported from an inlet at a first end of the chamber (1) to an outlet at a second end and a means for introducing and controlling gas (5) intended to provide said predetermined gaseous atmosphere within said chamber (1), wherein said inlet and outlet each comprise a sealing means (4a, 4b) designed to enable passage of said web of material (2) therethrough whilst minimising the ingress of an external gas boundary layer (3) around said web of material (2) characterised in that said apparatus also comprises one or more re-circulation channels (7, 8) adapted to re-circulate gases within said chamber (1) from the second end of the chamber to the first end of the chamber thereby negating or substantially negating any pressure difference within the chamber (1) between said inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A plasma glow discharge and/or dielectric barrier discharge generating assembly (1) comprising at least one pair of substantially equidistant spaced apart electrodes (2), the spacing between the electrodes being adapted to form a plasma zone (8) upon the introduction of a process gas and enabling passage, where required, of gaseous, liquid and/or solid precursor(s) characterized in that at least one of the electrodes (2) comprises a housing (20) having an inner (5) and outer (6) wall, wherein the inner wall (5) is formed from a non-porous dielectric material, and which housing (20) substantially retains an at least substantially non-metallic electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A plasma glow discharge and/or dielectric barrier discharge generating assembly (1) comprising at least one pair of substantially equidistant spaced apart electrodes (2), the spacing between the electrodes being adapted to form a plasma zone (8) upon the introduction of a process gas and enabling passage, where required, of gaseous, liquid and/or solid precursor(s) characterized in that at least one of the electrodes (2) comprises a housing (20) having an inner (5) and outer (6) wall, wherein the inner wall (5) is formed from a non-porous dielectric material, and which housing (20) substantially retains an at least substantially non-metallic electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a travelling porous web of material in a predetermined gaseous atmosphere comprising a process chamber (1) through which a moving web of porous material (2) is transported from an inlet at a first end of the process chamber (1) to an outlet at a second end of the process chamber (1) and a means for introducing and controlling required gas intended to provide said predetermined gaseous atmosphere in the chamber, (1). The inlet and outlet each comprise a sealing means (4a, 4b) designed to enable passage of the web of material therethrough whilst minimising the ingress of an external gas boundary layer around said material.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a travelling web of material in a predetermined gaseous atmosphere comprising a chamber (1) through which a moving web of material (2) is transported from an inlet at a first end of the chamber (1) to an outlet at a second end and a means for introducing and controlling gas (5) intended to provide said predetermined gaseous atmosphere within said chamber (1), wherein said inlet and outlet each comprise a sealing means (4a, 4b) designed to enable passage of said web of material (2) therethrough whilst minimising the ingress of an external gas boundary layer (3) around said web of material (2) characterised in that said apparatus also comprises one or more re-circulation channels (7, 8) adapted to re-circulate gases within said chamber (1) from the second end of the chamber to the first end of the chamber thereby negating or substantially negating any pressure difference within the chamber (1) between said inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma incorporating an atomised surface treatment agent is generated by applying a radio frequency high voltage to at least one electrode positioned within a dielectric housing while causing a process gas to flow from the inlet of the housing past the electrode to the outlet. The voltage applied is sufficiently high to generate a non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma extending from the electrode at least to the outlet of the housing. The electrode may be combined with an atomiser for the surface treatment agent within the housing. The electrode may comprise a radioactive material. The surface to be treated can be positioned adjacent to the plasma outlet so that the surface is in contact with the plasma, and moved relative to the plasma outlet.

Abstract: A plasma glow discharge and/or dielectric barrier discharge generating assembly (1) comprising at least one pair of substantially equidistant spaced apart electrodes (2), the spacing between the electrodes being adapted to form a plasma zone (8) upon the introduction of a process gas and enabling passage, where required, of gaseous, liquid and/or solid precursor(s) characterized in that at least one of the electrodes (2) comprises a housing (20) having an inner (5) and outer (6) wall, wherein the inner wall (5) is formed from a non-porous dielectric material, and which housing (20) substantially retains an at least substantially non-metallic electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An atmospheric plasma generation assembly (100) having a body (17) containing a reactive agent introducing means, a process gas introducing means and one or more multiple parallel electrode arrangements adapted for generating a plasma. Each electrode arrangement having at least one partially dielectric coated electrode (3, 4) said assembly being adapted such that the only means of exit for a process gas and atomised liquid or solid reactive agent introduced into said assembly is through the plasma region (6) between the aforementioned electrodes (3, 4). The assembly is adapted to move relative to a substrate (1) substantially adjacent to the aforementioned electrodes outermost tips (23). The assembly may also comprise an extractor unit surrounding the plasma generating assembly, comprising an extractor body (8) which is adapted to isolate the assembly from external atmosphere and provide a means of removing exhaust process gas, reactive agents and by-products.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure plasma assembly (1) comprising a first and second pair of vertically arrayed, parallel spaced-apart planar electrodes (36) with at least one dielectric plate (31) between said first pair, adjacent one electrode and at least one dielectric plate (31) between said second pair adjacent one electrode, the spacing between the dielectric plate and the other dielectric plate or electrode of each of the first and second pairs of electrodes forming a first and second plasma regions (25,60) characterised in that the assembly further comprises a means of transporting a substrate (70,71,72) successively through said first and second plasma regions (25,60) and an atomiser (74) adapted to introduce an atomised liquid or solid coating making material into one of said first or second plasma regions.