Patent ID: 8191599

Claim:
An apparatus for laminating a solar module, comprising a press for pressing and heating the respective solar module which press comprises: a) a first press part and a second press part which press parts are movable relative to one another and can be brought into a predetermined position in which a cavity is formed between the first and the second press part, which cavity can be evacuated, b) a bearing surface for the respective solar module disposed in the cavity, c) a heater which is disposed in the cavity and which is movable relative to the first press part and to the second press part and to the bearing surface in such a manner that the respective solar module can be pressed by means of the heater with respect to the bearing surface, wherein the press comprises a sealing body, the sealing body being disposed in an intermediate space between the heater and the first press part or in an intermediate space between the heater and the second press part and the sealing body forming a closed ring extending along a closed curve surrounding the heater, wherein the sealing body comprises a flexible hose, said hose having a volume that can be varied—by varying a pressure prevailing in the hose—in such a manner that, at a first predetermined volume, the sealing body is not in contact with the heater or at least one of the first press part and the second press part, and, at a second predetermined volume, the sealing body is brought into contact with the heater and at least one of the first press part and the second press part in such a manner that the cavity is divided by the heater and the sealing body into at least two chambers which are separated from one another in an airtight manner, wherein one of the chambers comprises the bearing surface.