element 10 may have a first face 22 a second face 24 an outer edge 26 an inner edge 28 and may form a continuous path along the periphery of the first vacuum membrane 12 the inner edge 28 of the intermediate sealing element 10 may at least partially overlap the vacuum membranes 12 14 so that the vacuum membranes 12 14 can be sealed to the intermediate sealing element 10 the continuous path may be any shape required by a given application for instance the intermediate sealing element 10 may form a continuous square as illustrated in fig1 however the intermediate sealing element 10 may form a continuous path of any shape or size required to make contact with the entire periphery of the first vacuum membrane 12 vacuum membranes may also vary in size and shape depending on the application the intermediate sealing element 10 may be sealed to the tool surfaces 16 18 and the vacuum membranes 12 14 by any sealing compound lip seal rubber vacuum seal or mechanical seal known in the art for creating an airtight seal between two surfaces for example as illustrated in fig2 rubber vacuum seals 30 32 may be attached.