Apparatus and method for laminating three-dimensional surfaces

Abstract

An apparatus for laminating three-dimensional surfaces includes a formed of rigid material that has an upper surface, a lower surface and a first perimeter. Three-dimensional features are formed in the substrate, commencing at the upper surface, and extending downwardly toward the lower surface. A veneer formed of thin, resilient material having a top surface and a bottom surface is prepared and glue suitable for adhering the veneer to the substrate is applied to its bottom surface. The veneer is positioned on the substrate and pressure is applied to the top surface of the veneer to conform the veneer to the substrate. When the glue has dried, the veneer will be adhered to the upper surface of the substrate and will reflect the three-dimensional features of the substrate. The three-dimensional features of the substrate are produced by manual carving of the upper surface, by application of powered rotary cutting and grinding tools, or by computer-controlled contouring machinery. The substrate material is wood, particleboard, chipboard, plastic, metal or cellular material and the veneer material is either wood, burl wood, plastic and metal. Pressure is applied to the top surface of the veneer using an airtight, flexible container that has a sealable opening sized and shaped to admit the substrate with the veneer located upon it. When the air is evacuated from the container, atmospheric pressure will conform the veneer to the upper surface of the substrate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.