# US 2010/0166906 A1 · Inprint equipment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0166906 A1 - Document ID: US20100166906A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/601,392 - Filed: 2007-05-23 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2007-05-23 - Assignees: Pioneer Corporation - Inventors: Kazunobu Hashimoto; Tetsuya Imai - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166906A1 ## CPC - G11B 5/855: Coating only part of a support with a magnetic layer - B29C 59/02: by mechanical means, e.g. pressing {(B29C59/007 takes precedence; embossing expanded porous articles B29C44/5627)} - B29C 33/42: characterised by the shape of the moulding surface, e.g. ribs or grooves - B29C 37/0003: {Discharging moulded articles from the mould (constructions for removing the articles B29C33/44)} - B29C 2033/426: {Stampers} - B29L 2017/003: {Records or discs} - G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract An imprinting apparatus which includes a mold having a recess/protrusion pattern formed on a surface thereof and a pressure-applying piston that makes the mold and a transfer substrate having a transfer layer thereon come into close contact and that applies pressure to transfer shapes of the recess/protrusion pattern to the transfer layer. The imprinting apparatus comprises a mold holding unit having a mold holding surface to hold the mold; a substrate holding unit having a substrate holding surface opposed to the mold holding surface to hold the transfer substrate; and a support unit supporting the mold holding unit and the substrate holding unit in such a way as to be able to get closer to and farther from each other. The pressure-applying piston is movable along a direction intersecting with the mold holding surface and the substrate holding surface and has a pressure-applying surface that can come into contact with one of the mold holding unit and the substrate holding unit when applying pressure, and a plurality of engaging units that can engage with one of the mold holding unit and the substrate holding unit when moving back. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imprinting apparatus which includes a mold having a recess/protrusion pattern formed on a surface thereof and a pressure-applying piston that makes said mold and a transfer substrate having a transfer layer thereon come into close contact and that applies pressure to transfer shapes of said recess/protrusion pattern to said transfer layer, said imprinting apparatus comprising: a mold holding unit having a mold holding surface to hold said mold; a substrate holding unit having a substrate holding surface opposed to said mold holding surface to hold said transfer substrate; and a support unit supporting said mold holding unit and said substrate holding unit in such a way as to be able to get closer to and farther from each other, wherein said pressure-applying piston is movable along a direction intersecting with said mold holding surface and said substrate holding surface and has a pressure-applying surface that can come into contact with one of said mold holding unit and said substrate holding unit when applying pressure, and an engaging unit that can engage with one of said mold holding unit and said substrate holding unit when moving back. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An imprinting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engaging unit engages with an edge of said mold holding surface or said substrate holding surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An imprinting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive mechanism to position said engaging unit, wherein said drive mechanism positions said engaging unit in such a position as to touch neither said mold holding unit nor said substrate holding unit when said pressure-applying piston applies pressure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An imprinting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said drive mechanism makes said engaging unit pivot about a rotation axis along a direction of an outer edge of said pressure-applying surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) An imprinting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said drive mechanism moves said engaging unit in a direction parallel to said pressure-applying surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An imprinting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when said pressure-applying piston moves back, one of said mold holding unit and said substrate holding unit is sandwiched between said pressure-applying surface and said engaging unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An imprinting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engaging unit has a plurality of arms, and when said pressure-applying piston moves back, one of said arms engages with one of said mold holding unit and said substrate holding unit earlier than the other arms do. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An imprinting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said mold holding unit and said substrate holding unit has at least one hollow in a side surface thereof, and said engaging unit engages with said hollow. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An imprinting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engaging unit has a plurality of arms which placed at equal intervals along the outer edge of said pressure-applying piston.