DRYING DEVICE AND SOLUTION FILM FORMING METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently form an optical film wider than a conventional one.SOLUTION: A band 91 comprises a belt-like center part 91c and a belt-like side part 91s arranged in both sides of the center part 91c in the width direction. Welded parts 91w of the center part 91c and the side parts 91s are exposed from the surface 91a. A dope flows out from a flow-port 133a toward the surface 91a of the band 91 in a moving state. The casting film 136 comprising the dope is formed on the surface 91a so as to cover the welded part 91w. A drying wind is sent toward the casting film 136 from a duct. A solvent is evaporated from the casting film 136 by the contact with the drying wind. A nozzle 151 applies heating wind 150 from the rear surface 91b side to the welded part 91w. The solvent is evaporated from the casting film on the surface 91a by a heating wind 150. The casting film 136 is peeled off from the band 91 by a peeling roller to form a film.