Patent ID: 6175776
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: A41H,B26D,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for minimizing vacuum losses from a support surface having one or more layers of sheet-type work material positioned thereon, comprising:a frame;a permeable support surface coupled to said frame and defining at least one pair of opposed lateral edge sections;each of said lateral edge sections defining an upper and side surface;at least two upper seals, each coupled to said frame and engaging said upper surface of one of said opposed lateral edge sections;at least two side seals, each coupled to said frame and engaging said side surface of one of said opposed lateral edge sections; and whereinsaid upper and side seals are drawn against said lateral edge sections of said support surface during application of vacuum by said vacuum means;a controller in communication with said apparatus for storing data in machine readable format corresponding to a work operation to be performed on said work material; andmeans for drawing vacuum through said permeable support surface.