Covering periphery of permeable holder with thermoplastic skin by applying vacuum thru stamp supporting holder and cutting skin periphery to form sliding seal with recessed periphery of stamp

摘要

Covering a peripheral part of a permeable holder with a thermoplastic skin includes mounting the holder, with adhesive applied, on the face of a stamp with a recessed periphery and bringing it into contact with the heated skin. Vacuum applied thru holes in the stamp holds the skin onto the holder. Simultaneously the periphery of the skin is cut so it covers the holder periphery. The edge of the skin makes a sliding contact seal with the stamp to maintain the vacuum between the skin and stamp. An Independent claim is included for the following: (a) Apparatus for performing the above Preferred Features: The skin is supplied as a web. The holes in the support are in groups of different diameter to apply different degrees of vacuum. A control unit controls the opening and closing of the holes. The holes may be connected by radial channels to a peripheral channel in the stamp.