Method of elevating a workpiece
US5522478A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1028
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention is an improved membrane press, and method of elevating a workpiece above the supporting surface of a work base. The membrane press includes a work base having a supporting surface for carrying the workpiece, and a foil-pressing frame positioned above the workpiece for heating and applying the laminating foil to the workpiece. The improvement in the membrane press includes a plurality of workpiece-lifting pedestals residing substantially beneath the supporting surface of the work base. A piston is located beneath each pedestal, and responds to the placement of the workpiece onto the supporting surface of the work base. The piston imparts an upward force on certain ones of the pedestals residing adjacent to and beneath the workpiece to raise the pedestals and workpiece upwardly above the supporting surface of the work base. The raised pedestals permit the top surface, corners, and peripheral borders of the elevated workpiece to be laminated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.