Patent ID: 6733623
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
An apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment comprising:a tool body having a cavity therein defined by a contiguous sidewall having a planar top surface and a bottom wall having at least one aperture, said cavity being adapted for receiving said ventilated platen and for exposing a top surface of said platen; a tool lid having a shape substantially similar to a planar area of said tool body, said tool lid having an inner surface for mounting said flexible film thereon and a sealing means mounted on said inner surface along a peripheral edge of said lid; and a hinge means connecting an edge of said tool body to an edge of said tool lid for sealingly engaging the two parts together in a clam-shell configuration with said sealing means on said tool lid engaging said planar top surface of said contiguous sidewall of the tool body and with a vacuum pulled from said at least one aperture in said bottom wall of the tool body such that said flexible film is transferred to and adheres on said top surface of the ventilated platen by an adhesive layer pre-deposited on said flexible film.