Patent ID: 8685306

Claim:
A molding method of patterning a workpiece using a mold, comprising the steps of: directly attaching the mold to a first support member for supporting the mold; attaching the workpiece to a second support member for supporting the workpiece; and bringing the first and second support members toward each other with a pressing force to press a patterned surface of the mold and a work surface of the workpiece together so as to pattern the workpiece, wherein the first support member has a first contact surface in direct contact with the mold, and the second support member has a second contact surface, and wherein an entire outer periphery of the first contact surface and the second contact surface are smaller in outer dimension than contact surfaces of the mold and the workpiece, respectively, and wherein the pressing force is transmitted through the first contact surface between the first support member and the mold and the second contact surface between the second support member and the workpiece.