Patent ID: 6772681
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: B30B

Abstract:
A pressing device for manually compressing products comprising:a) a housing; b) a lower platen engaged to the housing and adapted to receive products to be pressed; c) an upper platen engaged to the housing and manually translatable with respect to the lower platen; d) a handle mechanism connected to the upper platen for translating the upper platen with respect to the lower platen, the handle mechanism including a resilient over-center locking mechanism for translating the upper platen to a locked position proximate the lower platen, whereupon the upper platen is further translated toward the lower platen, independent of manual force; e) the handle mechanism further comprising at least one resilient compression member connected to the over-center locking mechanism, the resilient compression member being operative to urge the upper platen towards the lower platen at a substantially constant compressive force; and f) an adjustment mechanism, connected to the resilient compression member, for adjusting the operating length of the resilient compression member.