Low profile vacuum press

A vacuum press comprising:

• an enclosed processing chamber;
• a movable bolster member disposed within said processing chamber, having a force applying surface;
• a force transfer member connected to the moveable bolster member such that movement in the force transfer member produces concurrent movement in the moveable bolster member;
• a stationary bolster member maintained between the force transfer member and the movable bolster member, such that a distance between the force transfer member and the stationary member can vary;
• at least one fluid pressure operated actuator connected to the force transfer member that moves the force transfer member between a load position and a press position;
• and,
• a plurality of platens having a product support surface and a force receiving surface, wherein the platens are disposed within the processing chamber between the moveable bolster member and a chamber receiving wall that is positioned in a spaced apart confronting relationship with said movable bolster member and in predetermined alignment therewith and wherein as the movable bolster member is moved by the fluid pressure operated actuator toward the pressing position, the platens move into confronting engagement, such that clamping forces are applied to the platens by the fluid pressure operated actuator.

A vacuum press comprising:

• an enclosed processing chamber;
• a movable bolster member disposed within said processing chamber, having a force applying surface;
• a force transfer member connected to the moveable bolster member such that movement in the force transfer member produces concurrent movement in the moveable bolster member;
• a stationary bolster member maintained between the force transfer member and the movable bolster member, such that a distance between the force transfer member and the stationary member can vary;
• a plurality of actuators connected to the force transfer member that move the force transfer member between a load position and a press position;
• and,
• a plurality of platens having a product support surface and a force receiving surface, wherein the platens are disposed within the processing chamber between the bolster member and a chamber receiving wall that is positioned in a spaced, confronting relationship with said movable bolster member and in predetermined alignment therewith and wherein as the movable bolster member is moved by the fluid pressure operated actuators toward the pressing position, the platens move into confronting engagement, such that clamping forces are applied to the platens by the fluid pressure operated actuators.