Cascade Engineering, Inc.

Marlin D Broersma

Paul J Rugg

Laurie A Weeks

Chad R Haskin

A vacuum wrapping process and apparatus for adhering a flexible material to a rigid substrate. The temperature of the flexible material is monitored, processed, and controlled by a control unit. The material is supported over the substrate in a mold. Spring-loaded rotatable bars are supported within the mold and compress the marginal portion of the material against the mold. A vacuum draws the material toward the substrate, and the bars control the release of the material at a desired rate. The vacuum drawn on the material is monitored, processed and controlled by the control unit. The amount of vacuum applied to the material is inversely related to the temperature of the material. The control unit alters parameters of the vacuum molding process, such as the material temperature and the vacuum to reduce tearing, stretching, and/or wrinkling of the material. The spring-loaded bars control the rate at which the material is drawn toward the substrate under the vacuum, thus further reducing tearing, stretching, and/or wrinkling.

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Byron Center, MI, United States of America

Marlin D Broersma