Importance

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Abstract

An improved form of vacuum press is disclosed for use in laminating transparent protective film to photographs and the like and for dry-mounting the same to suitable substrates or backing materials. The press comprises a rigid work support assembly for supporting a workpiece, and a cover assembly hinged to the work support assembly for movement into and out of engagement with the top of the work support assembly, with the cover assembly comprising a frame, a flexible, air-impermeable membrane extending across an interior opening in the frame and attached thereto at its edges, and sealing means for forming an airtight chamberbetween the work support assembly supporting the workpiece and the cover assembly when the cover assembly is in engagement with the top of the work support assembly. The press also includes evacuating means for removing substantially all the air from the airtight chamber and causing the flexible membrane to collapse under the force of outside atmospheric pressure so as to effectively compress the workpiece within the chamber, and heating and cooling means for selectively heating and cooling the workpiece while under pressure.

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First Claim