Method for removal of a data carrier disk after molding

Claim 1

A method for removal from a planar disk-shaped clamping die a molded record disk made of a planar substrate coated with a layer of hardened molding agent sticking both to said substrate and to a recorded surface of said stamping die, carrying in an annular area a relief impression of surface irregularities which are copied into said layer prior to said removal and wherein said molding agent is arranged intermediate between said substrate and said stamping die, said method comprising the steps of: (a) clamping an outer annular portion of the molded record disk against the recorded surface to form a seal at said outer portion and to thereby establish, between said recorded surface and one surface of said substrate, an air-tight inflatable chamber which includes said annular area; (b) establishing fluid communication with said inflatable chamber by means of a duct having an opening which terminates at a position in said inflatable chamber; (c) establishing a gap between a cover plate and the other surface of said substrate by positioning said cover plate in confronting relationship to said other surface; (d) maintaining the seal formed according to step (a) to prevent the escape of gas from the inflatable chamber while simultaneously inflating said chamber by introducing pressurized gas through the duct to cause the annular area of said disk to bend into said established gap to thereby effect an annular loss of contact between said annular area and said molded record disk; and controlling the amount of said bending by maintaining the gap formed according to step (c).

Claim 2

A method for removal from a planar disk-shaped clamping die a molded record disk made of a planar substrate coated with a layer of hardened molding agent sticking both to said substrate and to a recorded surface of said stamping die, carrying in an annular area a relief impression of surface irregularities which are copied into said layer prior to said removal and wherein said molding agent is arranged intermediate between said substrate and said stamping die, said method comprising the steps of: (a) clamping an outer annular portion of the molded record disk against the recorded surface to form a seal at said outer portion and to thereby establish, between said recorded surface and one surface of said substrate, an air-tight inflatable chamber which includes said annular area; (b) establishing fluid communication with said inflatable chamber by means of a duct having an opening which terminates at a position in said inflatable chamber; (c) establishing a gap between a cover plate and the other surface of said substrate by positioning said cover plate in confronting relationship to said other surface; (d) maintaining the seal formed according to step (a) to prevent the escape of gas from the inflatable chamber while simultaneously inflating said chamber by introducing pressurized gas through the duct to cause the annular area of said disk to bend into said established gap to thereby effect an annular loss of contact between said annular area and said molded record disk; and controlling the amount of said bending by maintaining the gap formed according to step (c).