US3815221A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for holding sheet material by a vacuum holddown
Assignee: Gerber Technology LLC
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Filing: 1973-05-21
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Granted: 1974-06-11
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Expires: 1993-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for holding relatively stiff sheet material such as denim while it is being worked upon in a multiply layup on a supporting surface. The top ply of the layup is covered along its peripheral region by an air-impervious material extending from the supporting surface adjacent the side of the layup up to the top ply at its periphery. The central region of the top ply within the covered peripheral region is left uncovered and exposed to the ambient air. A vacuum is generated between the air-impervious material and the sheet material of the layup. This vacuum produces forces across the air-impervious material to compress the layup against the supporting surface thereby holding the layup in place.
Inventors
- 👤 D Pearl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:43
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26D; B26D7/00; B26D7/01; B26D7/018; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/929; Y10S83/936; Y10S83/939; Y10S83/94; Y10S83/941; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49998; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/04; Y10T83/0476
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of holding sheet material on a supporting surface comprising the steps of: a. positioning sheets of the material one upon the other on a supporting surface to form a multi-ply layup of the material; b. covering the layup at the periphery of the top ply and along the sides of the layup between the top ply and the supporting surface with air-impervious material; c. exposing the central region of the top ply within the periphery to the ambient air; and d. generating a vacuum between the air impervious material and the sheet material of the layup to produce forces across the air impervious material and to hold the layup against the supporting surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of holding sheet material on a supporting surface comprising the steps of: a. positioning sheets of the material one upon the other on a supporting surface to form a multi-ply layup of the material; b. covering the layup at the periphery of the top ply and along the sides of the layup between the top ply and the supporting surface with air-impervious material; c. exposing the central region of the top ply within the periphery to the ambient air; and d. generating a vacuum between the air impervious material and the sheet material of the layup to produce forces across the air impervious material and to hold the layup against the supporting surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of holding sheet material as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of covering the layup comprises spreading an air-impervious sheet material from the supporting surface adjacent the side of the layup to the periphery of the top ply.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method of holding sheet material as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of positioning comprises positioning the sheet material on an air-permeable supporting surface; and the step of generating a vacuum comprises drawing air from between the layup and the air-impervious material through said air-permeable supporting surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of holding sheet material as recited in claim 1 wherein the steps of covering and exposing together comprise laying air-impervious material along the peripheral region of the top ply of the layup.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of holding as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of covering comprises spreading a sheet of flexible air-impervious material along the peripheral region of the top ply of the layup.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |