Abstract: Lenses are brought individually or in pairs on a transport device (12) to a continuous vacuum apparatus (1) equipped with a rotating substrate carrier (3). The eyeglass lenses (13) are introduced through a system of locks (15) into the continuous vacuum apparatus (1), where they are coated in at least one controllable coating station (5, 6, 7) with at least one transparent layer and then sent back to the transport device (12). The eyeglass lenses (13) are given codes (18), and the codes are read by a code reader (19). The coating parameters of the individual coating stations (5, 6, 7) and the drive of the substrate carrier (3) are controlled by the code reader (19).

Abstract: A lens holder, particularly for eyeglass lenses to be coated in a high-vacuum vapor deposition or sputtering system, is formed as a ring pair. The ring pair is connectable to a substrate holder that is mounted in the process chamber of the high-vacuum system in the proximity of a coating source. The lens can be placed between the rings of the ring pair, which are secured to one another by resilient wires. An outer surface of a first ring is provided with ramps that interact with resilient wires that are secured to the outer surface of a second ring. One of the rings includes two diametrically opposite pegs which serve to pivotably mount the lens holder in bearing forks mounted on the substrate holder. The lens holder is capable of 180.degree. of rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding and turning lenses, particularly for eyeglass lenses to be coated in a high-vacuum vapor deposition or sputtering system. A ring pair carrying the lens to be held is seated on a substrate holder in the process chamber of the high-vacuum system. The substrate holder is a sheet metal part shaped like a half shell, and is rotatable about a vertical axis. A sickle shaped sheet metal blank forms a rake that partially overlaps the substrate holder. The rake is held and guided by a guide ring that is displaceable in the direction of the rotational axis of the substrate holder. The rake is displaceable by a lifting element of a lifting motor secured to the wall of the chamber. The rake includes individual tines having lower edges facing toward the substrate carrier. The tines engage pinions or gear wheels on the individual lens holders. The lens holders are mounted to the substrate via pegs, which allow the lens holders to pivot 180.degree..