Patent ID: 6561247
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: B29C,B29L

Abstract:
A vacuum tool including a releasable gas seal for use in the repair of a discrete damaged portion of an article surface; the tool comprising an outer wall including an opening there through; a peripheral edge about the opening shaped to conform generally with a portion of the article surface about the damage portion; and gas evacuation means to evacuate gas from within the tool; the releasable gas seal generally shaped to interface between the peripheral edge and the article surface and release from the article surface wherein:the article surface is a root portion of an article, the article surface comprising an inboard surface including the discrete damaged portion and a pair of adjacent root surfaces spaced apart one from the other adjacent the inboard surface; each of the pair of adjacent root surface connected with the inboard surface at an angle with the inboard surface, the inboard surface and the adjacent root surfaces together defining shaped continuous article surface including inflection portions within the article surface; and the peripheral edge of the tool about the opening is angled and shaped to conform and register with the shaped article surface and with the pair of adjacent root surfaces outside of the inboard surface.