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A drying method and a device each employ a specific range of infrared radiation which has a high transmissivity relative to a coated layer formed on a metal substrate and a high absorptivity relative to the substrate. The energy transmitted through the coated layer is absorbed in the substrate and c

A drying method and a device each employ a specific range of infrared radiation which has a high transmissivity relative to a coated layer formed on a metal substrate and a high absorptivity relative to the substrate. The energy transmitted through the coated layer is absorbed in the substrate and changed into heating energy to heat the substrate surface. The backsurface of the coated layer is also heated and solidified. The surface of the coated layer is solidified at the termination of the drying process so that surface is not injured by evaporation of solvent from the coated layer. A combination of infrared radiation and a blow of hot air ensures that the coated layer will not experience irregular heating which helps to prevent the generation of pin holes in the coated layer and shortens the drying period. The blowing direction is oriented in the same or at right angles to the infrared radiation.

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1. A method for drying a coated layer formed on a substrate comprising the steps of: (a) applying near infrared radiation to said coated layer for a predetermined period of time; (b) allowing said substrate to be heated by a portion of said near infrared radiation which is transmitted through sa

1. A method for drying a coated layer formed on a substrate comprising the steps of: (a) applying near infrared radiation to said coated layer for a predetermined period of time; (b) allowing said substrate to be heated by a portion of said near infrared radiation which is transmitted through said coated layer and which is absorbed by said substrate; (c) heating the coated layer via its interface with said heated substrate such that any solvent in said coated layer is evaporated before said coated layer is dried and the dried coated layer is free from having any pin holes therein. 2. A method for drying as recited in claim 1, wherein during step (a) said near infrared radiation being applied to said coated layer has an energy peak at <2 μm. 3. A method for drying as recited in claim 2, further comprising blowing hot air on said coated layer concurrent with step (a). 4. A method for drying as recited in claim 3, further comprising ascertaining said predetermined period of time and a temperature of said hot air based on the material used as said coated layer. 5. A method for drying as recited in claim 4, wherein during step (a) said near infrared radiation being applied to said coated layer has an energy peak within a range of 1.2 μm to 1.5 μm. 6. A method for drying as recited in claim 5, wherein said coated layer is made from one of an acrylic resin, a urethane resin, an epoxy resin and a melamine resin, and said substrate is a metal. 7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said substrate is made from one of iron, aluminum, copper, brass, gold, beryllium, molybdenum, nickel, lead, rhodium, silver, tantalum, antimony, cadmium, chromium, iridium, cobalt, magnesium, and tungsten. 8. A drying apparatus for drying a coated layer on a substrate, said apparatus comprising: a housing; means for heating said coated layer such that any solvent in said coated layer is evaporated before said coated layer dries, and when said coated layer dries it is free of pin holes, said heating means including a first infrared radiator disposed in said housing which generates a first near infrared radiation onto said coated layer and said substrate such that said substrate is heated by said first near infrared radiation and said coated layer is heated by said heated substrate. 9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said first near infrared radiation has an energy peak at <2 μm. 10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising a hot air blower operatively connected to said first radiator such that said hot air blower and said first radiator operate concurrently, and wherein said hot air blower applies hot air to said coated layer. 11. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said hot air and said first near infrared radiation are applied to a same portion of said coated layer. 12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said first near infrared radiation has an energy peak in a range between 1.2 μm to 1.5 μm. 13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said substrate is made from one of iron, aluminum, copper, brass, gold, beryllium, molybdenum, nickel, lead, rhodium, silver, tantalum, antimony, cadmium, chromium, iridium, cobalt, magnesium, and tungsten and said coated layer is made from one of an acrylic resin, a urethane resin, an epoxy resin and a melamine resin. 14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising a reflector and wherein said first radiator includes an infrared lamp disposed within said reflector such that said first near infrared radiation is reflected by said reflector in a predetermined direction. 15. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said blower blows said hot air in said predetermined direction. 16. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said reflector is parabolic in shape such that said first near infrared radiation is reflected as individual beams which are parallel to each other. 17. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said reflector is hyperbolic in shape such that said first near infrared radiation is reflected as individual beams in a radial array. 18. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising at least a second infrared radiator disposed in said housing which generates a second near infrared radiation onto said coated layer, and wherein said blower blows said hot air in a direction perpendicular to a direction of said first and second near infrared radiations. 19. An apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said housing is a tunnel shaped furnace. 20. An apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said housing has an inlet opening, and further comprising an air curtain disposed proximate to said inlet opening and a temperature control means for sensing and controlling the temperature of said air curtain. 21. A drying apparatus for drying a coated layer on a substrate, said apparatus comprising: a housing; a first infrared radiator disposed in said housing which generates a first near infrared radiation onto said coated layer such that any solvent in said coated layer is evaporated before said coated layer dries, and when said coated layer dries it is free of pin holes; a reflector and wherein said first radiator includes an infrared lamp disposed within said reflector such that said first near infrared radiation is reflected by said reflector in a predetermined direction; a telescopic head which is slidably mounted on said reflector; and a hot air blower operatively connected to said first radiator such that said hot air blower and said first radiator operate concurrently, and wherein said hot air blower applies hot air to said coated layer; wherein said hot air and said first near infrared radiation are applied to a same portion of said coated layer; wherein said first near infrared radiation has an energy peak in a range between 1.2 μm to 1.5 μm; wherein said substrate is made from one of iron, aluminum, copper, brass, gold, beryllium, molybdenum, nickel, lead, rhodium, silver, tantalum, antimony, cadmium, chromium, iridium, cobalt, magnesium, and tungsten and said coated layer is made from one of an acrylic resin, a urethane resin, an epoxy resin and a melamine resin; wherein said reflector is parabolic in shape such that said first near infrared radiation is reflected as individual beams which are parallel to each other. 22. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said housing has a handle formed therein which allows said apparatus to be hand carried. 23. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said telescopic head has at least one slit therein through which said hot air is discharged. 24. A method for drying a coated layer formed on a substrate comprising the steps of: (a) applying infrared radiation to said coated layer for a predetermined period of time, said infrared radiation having a high transmissivity relative to said coated layer and a high absorptivity relative to said substrate; (b) allowing said substrate to be heated by a portion of said infrared radiation which is transmitted through said coated layer and which is absorbed by said substrate; (c) heating the coated layer via its interface with said heated substrate such that any solvent in said coated layer is evaporated before said coated layer is dried and the dried coated layer is free from having any pin holes therein. 25. A method for drying a coated layer having first and second opposed surfaces, the coated layer being formed on a substrate such that the first surface contacts the substrate, the method comprising the steps of: (a) applying infrared radiation to the coated layer, the infrared radiation having a high transmissivity relative to the coated layer and a high absorptivity relative to the substrate; (b) absorbing the infrared radiation in the substrate such that the substrate is heated; (c) heating the coated layer via its interface at the first surface with the heated substrate such that the coated layer gradually solidifies from the first surface toward the second surface; and (d) blowing hot air in a direction substantially perpendicular to a radiated direction of the applied infrared radiation. 26. A drying apparatus for drying a coated layer on a substrate, said apparatus comprising: a housing having an inlet opening; means for heating said coated layer such that any solvent in said coated layer is evaporated before said coated layer dries, and when said coated layer dries it is free of pinholes, said heating means including a first infrared radiator disposed in said housing which generates a first near infrared radiation onto said coated layer and said substrate such that said substrate is heated by said first near infrared radiation and said coated layer is heated by said heated substrate; a hot air blower operatively connected to said first radiator such that said hot air blower and said first radiator operate concurrently and wherein said hot air blower applies hot air to said coated layer; means for creating an air curtain which is distinct from said hot air and which is disposed proximate to said inlet opening; and a temperature control means for sensing and controlling the temperature of said air curtain. 27. An apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein said hot air blower applies hot air to said coated layer in a direction which is perpendicular to a radiated direction of said first near infrared radiation. 28. A drying apparatus for drying a coated layer on a substrate, said apparatus comprising: a housing; a first infrared radiator disposed in said housing which generates a first near infrared radiation onto said coated layer such that any solvent in said coated layer is evaporated before said coated layer dries, and when said coated layer dries it is free of pin holes; a reflector; a telescopic head which is slidably mounted on said reflector; wherein said first radiator includes an infrared lamp disposed within said reflector such that said first near infrared radiation is reflected by said reflector in a predetermined direction.