US Patent 10040175 Film-like member support apparatus

A film-like member is supported in a flat shape by vacuum suction. A plurality of lift pins are arranged in a planar configuration and bear a film-like member placed on their upper ends. Tubular pads made of rubber for holding the film-like member by vacuum suction are attached to upper portions of the lift pins. The height of the lift pins can be adjusted by a screw fastening mechanism. The deformation of the film-like member can be corrected to a flat or concavely curved shape by suction from the pads. When the correction cannot be achieved by suction alone, the correction may be supplemented by ejection of air from a nozzle.