U.S. patent number RE37,758 [Application Number 09/630,560] was granted by the patent office on 2002-06-25 for master processing apparatus with master engaging structure for tensioning a master.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Xyron, Inc.. Invention is credited to Franklin C. Bradshaw, Michael W. Paque.
United States Patent |
RE37,758 |
Bradshaw , et al. |
June 25, 2002 |
Master processing apparatus with master engaging structure for
tensioning a master
Abstract
A multi-purpose laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus
having a frame supporting rotatably engaging nip rollers. A
replaceable cartridge is insertable into the frame and has upper
and lower feed rolls which may be a laminate, film or paper, or an
adhesively coated film or a film having an affinity for adhesive.
The upper and lower feed rolls containing the webs of laminating or
adhesive transfer material have tensioning caps which can be
adjusted to provide the proper tensioning to prevent the rollers
from overrunning as they rotate. Tensioning caps and the cartridges
are pre-set and provided to the user. A cutter blade is positioned
at the discharge side of the nip rollers and may be actuated to
sever the master at any desired location. The apparatus may be
operated to apply lamination to either top or bottom surfaces of a
substrate or an adhesive to the top or bottom surface of the
substrate or to both surfaces.
Inventors: |
Bradshaw; Franklin C.
(Scottsdale, AZ), Paque; Michael W. (Cave Creek, AZ) |
Assignee: |
Xyron, Inc. (Scottsdale,
AZ)
|
Family
ID: |
27399997 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/630,560 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
354222 |
Dec 12, 1994 |
5580417 |
|
|
|
247003 |
May 20, 1994 |
5584962 |
|
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Reissue of: |
753921 |
Dec 3, 1996 |
05788806 |
Aug 4, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
156/539; 156/538;
156/555 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B
37/226 (20130101); B32B 38/162 (20130101); B32B
38/1825 (20130101); B44C 1/165 (20130101); B44C
1/1733 (20130101); B65C 9/0015 (20130101); B65C
9/1803 (20130101); B65C 9/2265 (20130101); B65C
11/00 (20130101); B65C 11/006 (20130101); B65C
11/04 (20130101); B32B 37/12 (20130101); B32B
38/0004 (20130101); B32B 38/1875 (20130101); B32B
2037/0061 (20130101); B32B 2519/00 (20130101); Y10T
156/1702 (20150115); Y10T 156/1741 (20150115); Y10T
156/17 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B44C
1/165 (20060101); B32B 37/22 (20060101); B44C
1/17 (20060101); B32B 37/14 (20060101); B65C
11/00 (20060101); B65C 11/04 (20060101); B65C
9/08 (20060101); B65C 9/22 (20060101); B65C
9/00 (20060101); B65C 9/18 (20060101); B32B
031/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;156/494,536,538,539,555,580,582 ;100/210 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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550377 |
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Dec 1957 |
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CA |
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2 199 010 |
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Jun 1988 |
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: Sells; James
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pillsbury Winthrop LLP
Parent Case Text
The present invention is a .Iadd.Reissue of application Ser. No.
08/753,921 filed Dec. 3, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,806 which is a
.Iaddend.continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/354,222,
filed Dec. 12, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,417, entitled "Laminating
and Adhesive Transfer Apparatus", which application is a
continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/247,003, filed May 20, 1994,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,962, also entitled "Laminating and Adhesive
Transfer Apparatus".
Claims
We claim:
1. A .[.paddle for a.]. master substrate processing apparatus .[.in
which.]. .Iadd.for processing .Iaddend.a master substrate .[.is fed
into a nip roll area to be processed.]. , said .[.paddle.].
comprising:
.[.(a) a tray disposed adjacent said nip area having a generally
planar tray surface for receiving a master;
(b) a paddle having a platen surface disposed above said tray;
(c) means for moving said paddle between a first position elevated
above said tray and a second position disposed against said tray;
and
(d) said platen surface having a first area having characteristics
of non-stick and a second area for applying a predetermined
resistance to a master in contact with the platen surface.].
.Iadd.a first supply roll comprising a wound supply of a first
stock material carrying a layer of adhesive;
a second supply roll comprising a wound supply of a second stock
material;
a master substrate processing assembly having structure constructed
and arranged to process said master substrate and said unwound
portions of said stock materials during advancement thereof in a
feeding direction through said processing assembly to affect
adhesive bonding between said master substrate and said
adhesive;
structure providing a master substrate supporting surface adjacent
a feed site of said master processing assembly to support the
master substrate thereon as the master substrate is being fed into
said master substrate processing assembly; and
a master substrate engaging structure extending generally
transversely across said master substrate supporting surface, said
master substrate engaging structure having a master substrate
engaging surface that engages the master substrate while supported
on said master substrate supporting surface so as to apply
frictional resistance to advancement of the master substrate in
said feeding direction thereby tension the master
substrate.Iaddend..
2. .[.The paddle of.]. .Iadd.A master substrate processing
apparatus according to .Iaddend.claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.12,
.Iaddend.wherein said .[.tray.]. .Iadd.master substrate supporting
.Iaddend.surface is disposed a predetermined distance above the
interface of the nip .[.roll area.]. .Iadd.rollers.Iaddend..
3. .[.The paddle of.]. .Iadd.A master substrate processing
apparatus according to .Iaddend.claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.31, further
comprising a frame and .Iaddend.wherein .Iadd.said structure
providing said master substrate supporting surface is a feed tray
mounted to said frame and .Iaddend.said tray has opposite side
walls .[.defining a cam surface which surfaces are in engagement
with fixed detents whereby the tray may be manually moved between
said first and second positions.]. .Iadd.providing said camming
members.Iaddend..
4. .[.The paddle of.]. .Iadd.The master substrate processing
apparatus according to .Iaddend.claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.35,
.Iaddend.wherein said first area is treated with an elastomeric
material and said second area is treated with a nonwoven fabric
material.
5. .[.The paddle of.]. .Iadd.A master substrate processing
apparatus according to .Iaddend.claim 1 .[.in which.]. .Iadd.,
wherein .Iaddend.said .Iadd.master .Iaddend.substrate processing
apparatus is an adhesive transfer apparatus.
6. .[.The paddle of.]. .Iadd.A master substrate processing
apparatus according to .Iaddend.claim 1 .[.in which.]. .Iadd.,
wherein .Iaddend.said .Iadd.master .Iaddend.substrate processing
apparatus is a laminating apparatus.
7. .[.The paddle of.]. .Iadd.A master substrate processing
apparatus according to .Iaddend.claim 4 wherein said elastomeric
material is silicon rubber..Iadd.
8. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said structure of said master substrate processing assembly
comprises a plurality of cooperating structures constructed and
arranged to (a) advance said master substrate with unwound portions
of said first and second stock materials on opposing sides thereof
in a feeding direction through said master substrate processing
assembly and (b) apply pressure to said master substrate and said
unwound portions of said stock materials to affect said adhesive
bonding between said master substrate and said
adhesive..Iaddend..Iadd.
9. A master substrate processing according to claim 8, wherein said
master substrate engaging structure is movable between (a) a first
position wherein said master engaging surface engages the master
substrate while supported on said master substrate supporting
surface so as to apply said frictional resistance to advancement of
the master substrate and (b) a second position wherein said master
substrate engaging surface is moved away from said master
supporting surface so as to be disengaged from the master
substrate..Iaddend..Iadd.
10. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein said cooperating structures include a pair of pressure
applying and substrate advancing structures constructed and
arranged to both (a) apply said pressure to the master substrate
and the unwound portions of the stock materials and (b) advance the
master substrate and the stock materials through said master
processing assembly..Iaddend..Iadd.
11. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 10,
wherein said pressure applying and advancing structures include a
rotatable nip roller..Iaddend..Iadd.
12. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 10,
wherein said pressure applying and advancing structures include a
pair of rotatable nip rollers..Iaddend..Iadd.
13. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 12,
further comprising an actuator constructed and arranged such that
operation thereof affects nip roller rotation..Iaddend..Iadd.
14. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein said actuator is a manually operated
crank..Iaddend..Iadd.
15. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein said actuator is an electrically powered
motor..Iaddend..Iadd.
16. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive and wherein
said master substrate processing assembly affects said adhesive
bonding without the use of heat transfer..Iaddend..Iadd.
17. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said second stock material carries a layer of
adhesive..Iaddend..Iadd.
18. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said first and second stock materials are laminating
films..Iaddend..Iadd.
19. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 18,
wherein said laminating films are transparent..Iaddend..Iadd.
20. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 9,
further comprising a biasing element biasing said master substrate
engaging structure to said first position
thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
21. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 20,
wherein said biasing element is a spring..Iaddend..Iadd.
22. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 21,
wherein said spring is a coil spring..Iaddend..Iadd.
23. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein said master substrate engaging structure is pivotally
movable between said first and second positions
thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
24. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 23,
further comprising a biasing element biasing said master substrate
engaging structure to said first position
thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
25. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 24,
wherein said biasing element is a spring..Iaddend..Iadd.
26. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 25,
wherein said spring is a coil spring..Iaddend..Iadd.
27. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 9,
further comprising a frame and wherein said structure providing
said master substrate supporting surface is a feed tray mounted to
said frame..Iaddend..Iadd.
28. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 27,
wherein said feed tray is removably mounted to said
frame..Iaddend..Iadd.
29. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 27,
wherein said master substrate engaging structure is movably mounted
to said tray for movement between said first and second positions
thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
30. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 29,
wherein said master substrate engaging structure is pivotally
mounted to said tray for movement between said first and second
positions thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
31. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein said master substrate engaging structure has a pad formed
from a material selected from the group consisting of felt, soft
plastic, fabric, and rubber, said pad providing said master
substrate engaging surface..Iaddend..Iadd.
32. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein manual movement of said master substrate engaging structure
in said feeding direction and opposite said feeding direction
causes said master substrate engaging structure to move between
said first and second positions thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
33. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 32,
further comprising a frame and wherein said master substrate
engaging structure provides camming surfaces and wherein said frame
has camming members engaging said camming surfaces, said camming
members and said camming surfaces being configured such that during
movement of said master substrate engaging structure opposite the
feeding direction said camming members cam against said camming
surfaces to move said master substrate engaging structure upwardly
away from said master substrate supporting surface to said second
position thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
34. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 33,
wherein said camming surfaces provide first and second detents in
which said camming members are received when said master substrate
engaging structure is in said first and second positions thereof,
respectively..Iaddend..Iadd.
35. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 32,
wherein said master substrate engaging surface has first area of
non-stick material and a second area for providing resistance to
movement of the master..Iaddend..Iadd.
36. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 9,
further comprising a frame and wherein said first and second supply
rolls are each removably mounted to said frame for removal and
replacement thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
37. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 36,
further comprising a cartridge having a cartridge body structure
removably mounted to said frame, said first and second supply rolls
being mounted to said cartridge body structure such that said
cartridge body structure removably mounts both said first and
second supply rolls to said frame for removal and replacement
thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
38. A master substrate processing apparatus for processing a master
substrate, said apparatus comprising:
a first supply roll comprising a wound supply of a first stock
material carrying a layer of adhesive;
a second supply roll comprising a wound supply of a second stock
material;
a pair of nip rollers constructed and arranged to advance the
master substrate and unwound portions of the first and second stock
materials in a feeding direction and apply pressure to the master
and first and second stock materials to affect adhesive bonding
between said master substrate and said adhesive;
structure providing a master substrate supporting surface
positioned to support the master substrate thereon as the master
substrate is being advanced into said nip rollers; and
a master substrate engaging structure extending generally
traversely across said master substrate supporting surface, said
master substrate engaging structure having a master substrate
engaging surface that engages the master substrate while supported
on said master supporting surface so as to apply frictional
resistance to advancement of the master substrate in said feeding
direction to thereby tension the master
substrate..Iaddend..Iadd.
39. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 38,
wherein said master substrate engaging structure is movable between
(a) a first position wherein said master engaging surface engages
the master substrate while supported on said master substrate
supporting surface so as to apply said frictional resistance to
advancement of the master substrate and (b) a second position
wherein said master substrate engaging surface is moved away from
said master supporting surface so as to be disengaged from the
master substrate..Iaddend..Iadd.
40. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 38,
further comprising an actuator constructed and arranged such that
operation thereof affects nip roller rotation..Iaddend..Iadd.
41. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 40,
wherein said actuator is a manually operated
crank..Iaddend..Iadd.
42. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 40,
wherein said actuator is an electrically powered
motor..Iaddend..Iadd.
43. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 38,
wherein said adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive and wherein
said nip rollers apply pressure to affect said adhesive bonding
without the use of heat transfer..Iaddend..Iadd.
44. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 38,
wherein said second stock material carries a layer of
adhesive..Iaddend..Iadd.
45. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 38,
wherein said first and second stock materials are laminating
films..Iaddend..Iadd.
46. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 45,
wherein said laminating films are transparent..Iaddend..Iadd.
47. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 39,
further comprising a biasing element biasing said master substrate
engaging structure to said first position
thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
48. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 47,
wherein said biasing element is a spring..Iaddend..Iadd.
49. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 45,
wherein said spring is a coil spring..Iaddend..Iadd.
50. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 39,
wherein said master substrate engaging structure is pivotally
movable between said first and second positions
thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
51. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 50,
further comprising a biasing element biasing said master substrate
engaging structure to said first position
thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
52. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 51,
wherein said biasing element is a spring..Iaddend..Iadd.
53. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 52,
wherein said spring is a coil spring..Iaddend..Iadd.
54. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 39,
further comprising a frame and wherein said structure providing
said master substrate supporting surface is a feed tray mounted to
said frame..Iaddend..Iadd.
55. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 54,
wherein said feed tray is removably mounted to said
frame..Iaddend..Iadd.
56. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 54,
wherein said master substrate engaging structure is movably mounted
to said tray for movement between said first and second positions
thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
57. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 56,
wherein said master substrate engaging structure is pivotally
mounted to said tray for movement between said first and second
positions thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
58. A master substrate processing apparatus, according to claim 39,
wherein said master substrate engaging structure has a pad formed
from a material selected from the group consisting of felt, soft
plastic, fabric, and rubber, said pad providing said master
substrate engaging surface..Iaddend..Iadd.
59. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 39,
wherein manual movement of said master substrate engaging structure
in said feeding direction and opposite said feeding direction
causes said master substrate engaging structure to move between
said first and second positions thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
60. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 59,
further comprising a frame and wherein said master substrate
engaging structure provides camming surfaces and wherein said frame
has camming members engaging said camming surfaces, said camming
members and said camming surfaces being configured such that during
movement of said master substrate engaging structure opposite the
feeding direction said camming members cam against said camming
surfaces to move said master substrate engaging structure upwardly
away from said master substrate supporting surface to said second
position thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
61. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 60,
wherein said camming surfaces provide first and second detents in
which said camming members are received when said master substrate
engaging structure is in said first and second positions thereof,
respectively..Iaddend..Iadd.
62. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 59,
wherein said master substrate engaging surface has first area of
non-stick material and a second area for providing resistance to
movement of the master..Iaddend..Iadd.
63. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 39,
further comprising a frame and wherein said first and second supply
rolls are each removably mounted to said frame for removal and
replacement thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
64. A master substrate processing apparatus according to claim 63,
further comprising a cartridge having a cartridge body structure
removably mounted to said frame, said first and second supply rolls
being mounted to said cartridge body structure such that said
cartridge body structure removably mounts both said first and
second supply rolls to said frame for removal and replacement
thereof..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
.[.The present invention relates to an apparatus for laminating
items and which apparatus will also transfer adhesives to
substrates for purposes of producing articles such as labels and
stickers..].
.Iadd.The present invention relates to a master substrate
processing apparatus with a master substrate engaging structure for
tensioning a master substrate. .Iaddend.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is common practice to protect documents and other items such as
cards by encasing them in clear plastic coverings. Various products
known as protectors are available for this purpose. Another common
way of protecting documents and similar items is to laminate them.
Lamination involves sealing the document or item between oppositely
applied transparent films and lamination is commonly applied to
such items as driver's licenses, identification cards, membership
cards and the like.
Another operation that is often applied to documents and papers is
that of adhesive transfer. Adhesive transfer is an operation that
is used to make articles such as labels and stickers. One manner of
producting such labels is to print the labels on blanks provided
for this purpose. The blanks generally have an adhesive backing and
are secured to a liner from which they may be peeled at the time of
use. Computer systems are available that have the capability of
printing labels on liner label stock provided for this purpose.
This manner of making labels or stickers is expensive and further
is limiting in that the printed material must be adapted to the
physical size or confines of the label or sticker carried on the
liner. This limits the information and creativity that may be
incorporated in label making.
.[.Based on the foregoing, there exists a need for a simple
multi-purpose apparatus which can both serve to apply laminates to
documents and papers and which will also serve to apply adhesive,
including dry adhesives, to materials of various sizes so a wide
variety of labels and stickers may be produced. The apparatus of
the present invention can apply clear plastic laminates to master
substrates of various sizes and can also transfer adhesive to
substrates of various sizes not being limited by length. Adhesive
transfer can be applied to either surface of the item as required.
The apparatus can also apply dry adhesives from double sided
release coated liners to a substrate..].
.Iadd.In apparatuses designed to perform laminating operations,
adhesive transfer operations, both, or other such master substrate
processing operations in which adhesive bonding occurs between a
master and stock materials, it is desirable to keep the master
substrate smooth, flat, and properly aligned as it enters the
master substrate processing assembly. If the master substrate is
misaligned or wrinkled as it advances through the master substrate
processing assembly, the resulting end product may be less than
satisfactory. For example, in a laminating operation, if a master
substrate having straight side edges is angled with respect to the
side edges of the laminating films, then the resulting laminated
product will have a misaligned appearance; or, if the master
substrate is wrinkled, the resulting laminated product may also be
wrinkled. In an adhesive transfer operation, if the master
substrate is wrinkled, then certain spots may be missed during
transfer of the adhesive. The nature of adhesive bonding makes it
difficult to correct such errors, and normally the user will have
to repeat the operation with a new master substrate.
Consequently, there exists a need for a master substrate processing
apparatus with a suitable device for smoothing and properly
aligning a master substrate as it is advancing in a feeding
direction into the master substrate processing assembly of the
apparatus. .Iaddend.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
.[.Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, a
multi-purpose laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus is
provided which has a frame or housing with mounting means for
receiving a cartridge which is insertable to supply material to
perform the necessary laminating or adhesive transfer operation.
The cartridge has a box-like housing in which upper and lower
supply rolls containing webs of laminating or adhesive transfer
material are rotatively secured. The rolls have tensioning caps
which can be adjusted to prevent the supply rolls from overrunning
as they pay-out material. The caps are pre-set in accordance with
the operation being performed and the characteristics of the
material. The tensioning caps may be pre-set by the material
supplier at the time they are inserted into the cartridge. The user
selects the cartridge appropriate to the operation to be
performed.
First and second nip rollers extend transversely in the housing at
a location intermediate the cartridge supply rollers. The nip
rollers have a resilient coating and engage one another or are
slightly spaced-apart in parallel relationship to one another.
Preferably the lower nip roller is displaced forwardly from the
upper nip roller in the direction of the cartridge. An actuator,
which may be powered or may be manual such as a hand crank, is
provided for driving or rotating at least one of the nip rollers
which, in turn, drives the other roller.
A feed tray is removably mountable to the housing to facilitate
feeding the article to be processed. Preferably the feed tray is
removably secured in a general horizontal location aligned with the
nip. The feed tray carries a transversely extending guide and wiper
which smooths, cleans and positions the master fed along the tray.
A discharge opening is provided at the rear of the housing and a
cutter blade extends transversely across the housing adjacent the
discharge. The cutter blade may be manually actuated by a lever to
upwardly sever the substrate at a desired location in conjunction
with an anvil bar.
By way of example, the lower feed roll may comprise a flexible film
with an adhesive coating. The upper feed roll comprises a supply of
film which has an affinity for adhesive. The upper and lower films
are fed between the nip rollers. The tray is placed in position and
a pre-printed master such as a master containing labels
repetitively printed on a sheet can be fed via the tray to the
interface between the nip rollers passing between the tray surface
and the wiper. Adhesive will be transferred from the bottom film to
the labels with excessive adhesive being picked up by the top film.
The labels are now provided with an adhesive and are attached to
the lower film and may be severed from one another by the cutting
blade at the discharge opening. The labels may be peeled from the
film substrate when used.
Accordingly, it is a primary and broad object of the present
invention to provide a simple and efficient laminating or adhesive
transfer device in which cartridges containing various types of
films can be easily and selectively inserted for use in performing
various laminating and adhesive transfer operations. The term
"applicator and transfer apparatus" as used herein is to be
understood to comprehend both adhesive transfer and laminating
operations as the device both transfers laminates and adhesives to
items..].
.Iadd.To meet the above need, the present invention provides a
master substrate processing apparatus for processing a master
substrate. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a first
supply roll comprising a wound supply of a first stock material
carrying a layer of adhesive; a second supply roll comprising a
wound supply of a second stock material; a master substrate
processing assembly having structure constructed and arranged to
process the master substrate and the unwound portions of the stock
materials during advancement thereof in a feeding direction through
the processing assembly to affect adhesive bonding between the
master substrate and the adhesive; structure providing a master
substrate supporting surface adjacent a feed side of the master
processing assembly to support the master substrate thereon as the
master substrate is being fed into the master substrate processing
assembly; and a master substrate engaging structure extending
generally transversely across the master substrate supporting
surface, the master substrate engaging structure having a master
substrate engaging surface that engages the master substrate while
supported on the master substrate supporting surface so as to apply
frictional resistance to advancement of the master substrate in the
feeding direction to thereby tension the master substrate.
.Iaddend.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will be more fully understood from the following
description, claims and drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the transfer apparatus of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the supply roll containing a
cartridge removed from the apparatus;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the tensioning cap associated with
the supply rolls;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the installation of a
cartridge;
FIG. 7 is a detail view of the cutter mechanism;
FIG. 8 is a side view, partly in section, showing the cartridge in
place and a master being fed into the device;
FIG. 8A is a detail view of the wiper as indicated in FIG. 8;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a detail view of the nip rollers;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a side view showing a master being fed between the nip
rollers;
FIG. 13 shows labels as they receive adhesive;
FIG. 14 is a plan view of the upper feed web showing the pick up of
excessive adhesive thereon;
FIG. 15 illustrates removal of the adhesive from the lower web;
FIG. 16 is a detailed side view of a portion of the adhesive
transfer apparatus illustrating a paddle for flattening and
cleaning a master as it is fed into the machine;
FIG. 17 is a top view showing the paddle arrangement of FIG. 16;
and
FIG. 18 is a side view of the paddle.
.Iadd.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS .Iaddend.
Turning now to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 to 11, the
transfer apparatus of the present invention is generally designated
by the numeral 10 and includes a housing member generally
designated by the numeral 12 having a base 14, opposite side walls
16 and 18, a top 20 and a rear wall 22. The rear wall 22 of the
housing is upwardly and forwardly inclined at panel 22A from the
base 14 to a location where the rear wall extends vertically at
panel 22B. As seen in FIG. 8, an opening 30 is defined between the
panels 22A and 22B through which the substrate and processed
articles are discharged.
As best seen in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, an upper nip roller 40 extends
transversely between the side walls of the frame spaced rearwardly
from the edge of the side walls. The upper nip roller includes an
axial shaft 42 rotatable in suitable bearings or bushings 44 at
opposite ends. The shaft is covered by a cylindrical roller member
43 of resilient material such as rubber. Shaft 42 extends
exteriorly of the side plate and is shown carrying a hand crank 45
for manually rotating the roller and shaft. Alternatively, the
rollers may be powered by an electrical motor, not shown. A pinion
gear 46 is secured to one end of the shaft adjacent the interior
surfaces of the side wall.
A second nip roller 48 extends transversely between the side walls
16 and 18 positioned parallel to the upper nip roller. The lower
nip roller may be vertically aligned with the upper nip roller but
preferably is forwardly displaced a distance forward of the upper
nip roller, as for example approximately 1/4" as best seen in FIG.
8. The terms "forward" and "rearward" or "front" and "rear" as used
herein, refer to the orientation of the feed path through the
device. The lower nip roller has a shaft 52 which is rotatable in
bearings 54 located at the interior of the opposite side walls. A
pinion gear 58 is mounted at one end of the shaft 52. Pinion gear
58 engages the pinion gear 46 on the upper nip shaft so that
actuation of the upper nip roller by means of the crank 45 or other
power means will impart opposite rotation to both nip rollers as
indicated by the arrows in FIG. 10.
.Iadd.The upper and lower nip rollers 40,48 comprise pressure
applying and substrate advancing structures that both apply
pressure to the master substrate M and unwound end portions of the
stock materials wound on supply rolls 165 and 166. Broadly
speaking, these nip rollers may be considered to constitute a
master substrate processing assembly comprising a plurality of
cooperating structures constructed and arranged to (a) advane the
master substrate M and unwound portions of the stock materials on
opposing sides thereof through the master substrate processing
assembly and (b) apply pressure to the master substrate and the
unwound portions of the stock materials to affect adhesive bonding
between the master substrate M and the adhesive on the stock
materials. .Iaddend.
Feed tray 80 has .[.of.]. a planar feeding surface 82 with opposite
extending flanges 85 which flanges are removably insertable in
horizontal recesses 84 of the cartridge 150. .Iadd.The feeding
surface 82 may also be referred to as a master supporting surface
and the feed tray may be considered to be a structure providing
that master supporting surface. .Iaddend.A .Iadd.master substrate
engaging structure in the form of a .Iaddend.wiper assembly 86 is
mounted on the upper surface of the feed tray as seen in FIGS. 8
and 8A. The wiper has a bar 91 which extends transversely across
the tray adjacent the entrance to the nip area. The bar has a
.Iadd.master substrate engaging surface provided by a .Iaddend.pad
87 of felt or resilient or soft material such as felt, soft
plastics, fabric or rubber, which lightly engages the master as it
passes between the wiper and the tray surface. The wiper serves
several functions and cleans, smooths and guides the master as it
enters the nip between the rollers. A particularly important
function of the wiper is to tension the master substrate keeping it
flat and aligned with the laminate and adhesive webs resulting in
better alignment especially when feeding sheets intermittently. The
wiper has an arm 89 which is upwardly biased by spring 88. Arm 89
is pivotally attached to the edge of the tray at fulcrum 93 so that
the wiper is pressed into light engagement with the material
passing beneath the pad 87. The wiper bar 91 may be lifted to
facilitate loading a master by manually depressing the outer end of
the arm 89 against the force of spring 88. Preferably the pad is
replaceable as required.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a blade 90 having a cutting edge
extends transversely adjacent the discharge opening. The blade is
movable vertically upward from a non-actuated position to a cutting
position by means of lever 95 to which the blade 90 is attached.
Lever 95 is pivotally secured to the interior of the housing side
wall at pivot rod 96. Downward movement of the lever at handle 97
will move the blade 90 upward into engagement with anvil bar 98
which is fixed and extends transversely. Preferably, the blade 90
is mounted on a carrier 99 by means of pins 102 having compression
springs 104 thereon which bias the blade toward the cutting bar.
Thus, when the cutting action occurs, the flat surface of the blade
moves along the anvil which provides a self-cleaning action. The
upper end of panel 22A is slightly curved at 106 as seen in FIG. 8
to facilitate smooth discharge of the item being processed. The
area indicated by the numeral 106 may be coated with a suitable
low-frictional material such as that sold under the trademark
"Teflon".
.[.A primary advantage of the present invention is that.]. .Iadd.In
the illustrated embodiment, .Iaddend.various substrates may be
provided to the user in a self-contained, ready-to-use cartridge
which allows the user simply to select and insert the appropriate
cartridge. As indicated above, the device .[.of the present
invention.]. .Iadd.illustrated .Iaddend.can be used for multiple
purposes for adhesive transfer and lamination. Adhesive can be
transferred to either surface of the master and may be a dry
adhesive. The cartridge is generally designated by the numeral 150
and includes a frame having opposite side walls 152, 154, a top
156, and bottom 158. A front wall 160 defines a substantial
rectangular opening 162. As shown, the cartridge includes an upper
feed roll 165 and a lower feed roll 166 each containing a web of
film or other flexible substrate material. .[.A significant
advantage of the present invention is that.]. .Iadd.In the
illustrated embodiment, .Iaddend.the upper and lower feed rolls are
provided to the user pre-wound and properly tensioned so as not to
overrun during operation and to provide proper tracking. The proper
tensioning of the feed rolls is accomplished by means of a
tensioning device as best seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
In FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, which figures are representative of the
construction of the both ends of both feed rolls, the substrate
material is shown wound about the feed roll core 200. The core 200
is a cylinder of cardboard or plastic having an end face 210. Core
200 has a hollow interior 212 which receives an end cap 215. The
cap may be molded of plastic or other similar material having an
interior outer wall 216. A boss 220 is concentrically formed in the
cap with respect to the cylinder wall 216. Boss 220 defines an
axial bore 225. The cap 215 is positioned slightly inwardly of the
end of the core and may be adhesively secured to the interior wall
212 of the roll core 200.
A circular end plate 230 abuts the end of the core which plate has
a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the core. The end
plate has a central aperture 240 which receives the threaded shaft
of bolt 246. A spring 250 is interposed between the head of the
bolt and the interior face of the cap 215. Nut 252 engages the
threaded end of the bolt. The head of the bolt 246 bears against
the exposed surface of the end plate 230 and the position of the
nut along the shaft of the bolt determines the frictional
resistance that exists between the interior surface of the end
plate 230 and the end face of the core of the roller. This tension
is pre-adjusted by the manufacturer to provide the proper roll
tension depending upon the type of material on the roll, the size
of the material, the thickness of the material and other factors.
Mounting tabs 260 and 260A project outwardly from the end plate and
are slidingly engageable in mounting slots 270, 270A and 272, 272A
provided on the interior surfaces of the cartridge side walls.
Thus, it will be seen that inserting a supply of suitable feed
substrate is easily accomplished. The user simply selects the
appropriate cartridge 150 and positions the cartridge in the
opening at the front side of the housing. The cartridge is locked
in place in the housing in a vertical position by locking detent
members 280. The feed rolls may be various types of stock such as
clear laminates, paper or film for removing excessive adhesive or
rolls of material having a loose adhesive coating and a release
coating on the opposite surface. The feed tray 80 is inserted in a
generally horizontal position in the opposite slots in the
cartridge.
As mentioned above, the device may be used as a lamination device
or as an adhesive transfer device. In the case of use as an
adhesive transfer device, the lower feed roll which consists of a
film carrying an easily transferable adhesive. The upper feed roll
would typically be a web of flexible carrier material having
release characteristics on a lower surface and adhesive coating on
the other surface. With rolls of this type in position, the end of
the web of the lower feed roll is extended over the lower nip
roller. The upper feed roll, in the case of adhesive transfer, will
consist of a web of material such as inexpensive paper or film,
having an affinity for adhesive. The end of the web is extended
between the nip rollers with the end of the web adhesively secured
to the web of the master in the lower roll.
Referring to FIGS. 11 to 15, the master which is designated by the
numeral 300 consists of a continuous sheet of material having an
upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface carries labels
310 which have been pre-printed. Obviously, the master can be any
pre-printed document or series of documents which can be generated
by the user, as for example on a computer. The labels 310 can be of
varying size and shape and it is understood that the term "labels"
as used herein is intended to be representative of printed
materials of various types arranged on a flexible substrate.
The master is aligned on the feed tray with the leading free edge
of the master positioned on the exposed adhesive surface of the
lower feed stock material. 166 at the nip roller interface. The
slight forward protrusion of the lower nip roller 48 facilitates
securing the master at this location. The web 165 of the upper feed
roller is fed from the cartridge to the nip roller interface on the
upper side of master 300.
The operator then actuates the machine by operating the crank which
will rotate the upper nip roller and by means of the inter-engaging
pinion gears, cause rotation of the lower nip roller. The rotation
will also advance the upper web, the lower web and the master. The
master is smoothed, guided and wiped clean as it passes between the
wiper 86 and the upper surface of the tray. As the master proceeds
between the nip rollers in the interface nip area, the exposed
adhesive 325 from the lower web will be transferred to the lower
surface of the master 300. The upper web 165 will pick up any
excessive adhesive not transferred to the master, as for example
adhesive in the areas outside the perimeter of the label areas 310.
The upper web should be wider than the adhesive web. The master may
then be easily severed into individual labels or strips of labels
by operating the cutter by means of the lever as the master emerges
from the discharge opening at the rear of the machine.
Note that the master can be oriented with either printing or
indicia facing upwardly or downwardly depending on the user's
requirements.
For example, if the user is making labels which are to be applied
to the inside of a window, the master would, in most cases, be fed
into the applicator with the printing disposed downwardly so
adhesive would be applied over the printed area 310. The apparatus
can apply lamination to either top or bottom surfaces of a
substrate or adhesive to the top or bottom surfaces of a substrate
or to both surfaces. The device can also perform combination
operations in applying of both the laminate and an adhesive to a
substrate, the operation being determined by the selection of the
cartridge and feed rolls within the cartridge that are inserted
into the apparatus.
The characteristics of the lower web are such that the adhesive is
a nonaggression adhesive loosely adhered to the surface of the web.
Thus, the lower web serves as a peelable cover which can be
stripped away at the time the master is to be used by adhesively
applying the master to a surface.
.[.One significant advantage of the present invention is that.].
.Iadd.In the illustrated embodiment, .Iaddend.the upper and lower
feed rolls may be provided to the user pre-wound and properly
tensioned so as not to overrun during operation. The proper
tensioning is pre-set by the tensioning device described above.
In FIGS. 8 and 12, a wiper assembly 86 is shown mounted at the
upper surface of the feed tray which operates to clean the master
and apply pressure to the master as it enters the nip area. In
FIGS. 15 and 16, an alternate form of .[.wiper assembly,.].
.Iadd.the master substrate engaging structure .Iaddend.termed a
"paddle", is shown which is generally designated by the numeral
400. Referring to FIG. 16 in which the same numerals identify the
same or similar elements appearing in previous drawing FIGS., the
nip rollers 40 and 48 are shown and material from the upper and
lower feed rolls, respectively 165 and 166, is directed across
idler rollers 402 and 404 to the interface between the nip
rollers.
A master "M" to which a laminating or adhesive transfer operation
is to be applied is fed along the tray 80 as indicated by the
arrows in FIGS. 16 and 17. The paddle 400 is associated with tray
80 spaced from the rollers 40 and 48. The tray 80, as has been
explained previously, has a generally planar .Iadd.master substrate
supporting .Iaddend.surface 82 on which a master "M" to be
processed is placed. The surface 80 of the tray is disposed a
slight vertical distance, about 1/16", above the plane of the
material 166 as it enters into the area between the feed rollers.
This is illustrated by the space "S" in FIG. 16. This space allows
the master "M" to be properly oriented and aligned before it is
picked up by the material 166 from feed roll 166.
The paddle 400 is disposed above the tray and serves to flatten and
attach the master to the material 166 and also cleans the master
prior to processing such as an application of laminates. The paddle
has a generally planar platen 410 which is formed having a vertical
wall 412 and opposite side walls 416 and 418. The paddle may be any
suitable size, and typically may be approximately 25" in width. The
opposite side walls 416 and 418 are each provided with openings 420
and 422. The openings each extend vertically at 424 and 425 and
have a rearwardly inclined upper cam surface 426. A generally lower
arcuate region 430 is provided at the forward end of the cam
surface at an arcuate surface 432 at the rearward end of the cam
surface. The upper surface forms a cam surface which rides on
detent members 440 and 442 which are pins or rollers that are fixed
to the opposite side walls 452 and 454 of the tray 80.
Thus, it will be seen that by manually moving the paddle 400
forward toward the nip rollers, the paddle will be displaced
downwardly as the cam surfaces 426 move along the associated
detents 440 and 442. In the forward position, the paddle rests on
the master "M" which is positioned on the surface 82 of the tray
80. The paddle applies a gentle downward pressure and/or applies a
predetermined resistance or tension to the master as it passes
beneath the paddle. Typically, for a paddle having a width of about
25", the weight of the paddle will be between 1 and 4 pounds.
By manually moving the paddle in the direction away from the nip
rollers, the paddle will be elevated away from the surface of the
master. FIG. 16 shows the paddle in the position in which it
engages the master.
As indicated above, the purpose of the paddle is to apply light
pressure to flatten the master and attach the master to the web and
also to clean the master. The paddle also applies a controlled back
tension to avoid wrinkling. Accordingly, the lower .Iadd.master
substrate engaging .Iaddend.surface of the platen 410 is specially
fabricated to have characteristics to best perform these
operations. As seen in FIG. 18, the leading position of the platen
in the area generally designated by the numeral 460 is treated with
an elastomer which has non-stick characteristics. A typical
material would be silicon rubber. Thus, when the bottom surface of
the platen 460 is in contact with the master, this area of the base
plate will tend to force the master into contact with the web from
the feed roll 166 and against roller 404. Again, it is noted that
the surface of tray 82 is slightly above the plane of the material
166 as it passes over the idler roller and into the nip area.
The portion of the surface of the base plate indicated by the
numeral 462 has characteristics to provide a slight resistance to
the master as it moves or is advanced towards the nip area. The
purpose of the resistance is to slightly flatten and tension the
material to overcome any curl. Also, this area provides a cleaning
and wiping action to the master removing lint, dust and
particulates. The slight tension also helps to flatten materials
that may have a slight curl remaining due to be provided in a
rolled condition. Accordingly, the surface of the paddle in this
area is treated with a suitable material such as the material
manufactured and sold under the trademark Ultrawipe.TM.. The areas
460 and 462 preferably extend the entire width of the platen.
While the paddle has been described with respect to the adhesive
transfer apparatus of the present invention, such as that
designated by the numeral 10, the paddle 400 has wide application
to various apparatus and methods for processing substrates in which
the substrate is required to be properly oriented, flat and clean
at the time of processing.
While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the
illustrative embodiments set forth above, it will be obvious to
those skilled in the art to make various modifications to the
structure, arrangement, proportion, elements, materials and
components used in the practice of the invention. To the extent
these various modifications do not depart from the spirit and scope
of the appended claims, they are intended to be encompassed
therein.
* * * * *