A press tool for consolidating laminates covered on the upper face with a wet coating is provided with a flexible cover which can be progressively deployed laterally from initial contact along the centre of the cavity, while a suction manifold simultaneously evacuates the mould from the borders of the cavity. Opt. a rubber sheet or inflatable sleeve is interposed between the overhead panel and the laminate. Coating is of thermoplastic or thermosetting material. The flexible cover is suspended from arrays of pistons which are progressively actuated in pairs ranked symmetrically with respect to the mould centre-line. The combination of progressive cover contact and evacuation results in even cover contact without air entrapment and consequent surface blemishes. Progressive parting of the cover from the laminate face from the borders inwards avoids overstressing of the laminate, requires less force than parting a rigid plane platen from all parts of the laminate surface simultaneously.
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