Abstract: A flexible product, more particularly an information-carrying disc, is removed from a carrier plate, more particularly a mold, by creating a partial vacuum at the side of the product facing away from the carrier plate. While the product is being displaced in a direction facing away from the carrier plate under the influence of the partial vacuum, the product is guided in such a way that it is displaced over the greatest distance at two opposite ends and the displacement of the parts of the product situated between these ends decreases gradually towards the center of the product.

Abstract: For holding workpieces by vacuum suction a vacuum apparatus comprises a base carrying a plurality of spaced-apart support members (2) whose free end surfaces (3) define a supporting plane (4) for the workpiece, the spacings between the support members forming part of an evacuable vacuum space (6) which is peripherally sealed in a vacuum-tight manner by sealing means (7). The support members are made rim shaped and are of an elastically axially deformable material and the sealing means comprise a deformable sealing lip (8), so that after positioning the workpiece (5) and upon evacuation of the vacuum space (6) the sealing lip is moved under simultaneous axial deformation of the support members (2), causing the transverse dimensions of the support members to increase and at the same time the volume of the vacuum space to be reduced.