Patent ID: 6094209
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: B08B,B32B,B41J

Abstract:
Card printing and laminating apparatus comprising:a printhead for printing an image on a receptor surface of a receptor card during a printing operation;lamination film supply apparatus for supplying a lamination film;a heated laminating roller mounted for engagement with said receptor surface of said receptor card during a laminating operation, said lamination film passing intermediate said heated laminating roller and said receptor surface of said receptor card during said laminating operation;a carriage for receiving said receptor card with said receptor surface facing upwardly;guide means for guiding said carriage beneath said printhead during said printing operation and beneath said heated laminating roller during said laminating operation;a drive motor having a rotating drive shaft;a transmission element coupled between said drive shaft of said drive motor and said carriage for translating rotation of said drive shaft into linear movement of said carriage along said guide means; anda pair of output nip rollers including a heated lower roller for engaging and heating a lower surface of said receptor card after said laminating operationsaid apparatus further comprising means for biasing said printhead to a printing position during movement of said carriage in a first direction along said guide means, means for moving said printhead to an idle position, and means for maintaining said printhead in said idle position during movement of said carriage in an opposite second direction.